If you’re running a 64-bit version of Microsoft Excel on your computer, there might be situations where you’ll need to switch to the 32-bit version. Some add-ins or extensions might not be compatible with the 64-bit version, or maybe you’re working with large data sets that require more memory allocation, which is something the 32-bit version excels in. This guide will walk you through the process of running Excel in 32-bit mode.
Uninstalling the 64-bit version
Before you can install the 32-bit version of Excel, you’ll first need to uninstall the 64-bit version. Here’s how:
- Open the Control Panel on your computer.
- Select Programs and then Programs and Features.
- From the list of installed programs, find your Office installation, click on it, and then click the Uninstall button.
Installing the 32-bit version
Once you’ve uninstalled the 64-bit version of Excel, you can now install the 32-bit version. Follow these steps:
- Go to the Office 365 website and log in with your account.
- Click on the Install Office button.
- In the following screen, click on Other options.
- Check the box that says “Install the 32-bit version”. If you can’t find this option, it might be labelled as “Advanced” instead.
- Click on the Install button to start the installation process.
Confirming the installation
After you’ve installed the 32-bit version of Excel, you’ll want to confirm that it was installed successfully. To do this, open Excel and then go to File > Account > About Excel. In the information window that opens, you should see “32-bit” somewhere in the first line of text.
Conclusion
Switching from the 64-bit version of Excel to the 32-bit version might seem a bit intimidating at first, but as long as you follow the steps above, it’s actually quite straightforward. Remember, you can always switch back to the 64-bit version if you need to in the future. Happy spreadsheeting!
