Google Sheet Download as Excel Not Working (How to Fix in 2025)

In this article, we will show you how to fix the issue of Google Sheets not downloading as Excel files. Simply follow the steps below.

Google Sheet Download as Excel Not Working

Below, we outline the steps to fix Google Sheets not downloading as Excel.

1. Retry Downloading the Spreadsheet as an Excel File

Go to the menu bar in Google Sheets, click on ‘File‘, navigate to ‘Download‘, and select ‘Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)‘. Sometimes, simply retrying the download can solve common issues.

2. Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies

Open your browser settings and find the section for clearing browsing data. Make sure to select both ‘cache‘ and ‘cookies‘ for deletion. This can resolve problems related to outdated or corrupted data that may hinder file downloads.

3. Disable Browser Extensions That May Interfere

Identify any active browser extensions or ad blockers that might be causing issues with Google Sheets. Disable these extensions, or try accessing Google Sheets in an incognito or private browsing window to see if the problem persists.

4. Update Your Browser to the Latest Version

Check your browser’s help or settings menu to find updates. Installing the latest version of your browser ensures compatibility with modern web applications like Google Sheets.

5. Contact Google Support for Assistance

If all else fails, reach out to Google Support. Be prepared to describe the issue in detail, including the steps you’ve already tried and any specific error messages you’ve encountered. You can contact support through the Google website or via the help menu within Google Sheets.

We hope that you now have a better understanding of how to fix the issue when a Google Sheet does not download as an Excel file. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our article on how to download an Excel spreadsheet on Mac or our article on how to fix a downloaded Excel file that is not opening.