Excel scripts not working on browser

Jack Scales 0 Reputation points
2026-11-12T15:14:02.8233333+00:00

The automation tab is broken for our Microsoft account on the web version of excel. It works fine on the desktop app, but on browser, the scripts we have saved do not load, and when trying to create a new script it has the following error:

"An unexpected error occurred. Close the task pane to try again.

To use Office Scripts, you must change your browser settings to allow third-party cookies. If that doesn't work, your organization's admin may have disabled this feature.

Why can't I access Office Scripts or the Automate tab"

I've tried across 3 web browsers (edge, chrome and firefox) and 2 operating systems (ubuntu and windows 11), all of which with third party cookies enabled.

We dont have access to the Microsoft 365 admin center because we are a family account.

In our one drive, the scripts are still there.

We have previously been finding the scripts extremely useful, it's weird that they have randomly stopped working on the browser version of excel.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Other
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  1. Thomas4-N 23,670 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-14T08:05:31.9566667+00:00

    Hello Jack Scales,

    Since you've already tested three browsers across two operating systems with third-party cookies enabled, I wouldn't suggest repeating those checks.

    Interestingly, other users have recently reported very similar problems:

    Both reports describe scripts remaining in OneDrive while Excel for the web fails to load them.

    This suggests the problem may not be specific to your browser or device, although I couldn't find an official Microsoft acknowledgment of a widespread issue.

    Since Office Scripts remains in preview for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions, I'd recommend submitting feedback directly through Excel, referencing the error and your completed troubleshooting.

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  2. Rukshan edirisinghe 2,525 Reputation points
    2026-11-13T02:38:33.65+00:00

    Hi @Jack Scales

    The error message itself names the most likely cause: Excel on the web needs third-party cookies to load Office Scripts, and the desktop app doesn't use browser cookies at all. That's why your saved scripts work on desktop but not in the browser. Microsoft's Office Scripts troubleshooting guide lists third-party cookies as one of the checks when the Automate tab doesn't work on the web.

    Since you're on a personal account, the admin part of that message doesn't apply to you. Here's what to change:

    1. Microsoft Edge: go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data, and turn off Block third-party cookies.
    2. Google Chrome: go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies, and select Allow third-party cookies.
    3. Safari on Mac: go to Settings > Privacy, and clear Prevent cross-site tracking.
    4. Close all browser windows, open Excel on the web again, and go back to the Automate tab.

    If it works after that, you can switch cookies back to blocked and add the Office sites you use as exceptions instead, so the change isn't global.

    One more thing to know: for personal and family Microsoft 365 subscriptions, Office Scripts is still in preview, and Microsoft lists joining the Microsoft 365 Insider program as a requirement. So some differences between desktop and web can come from the preview itself.

    Which browser are you using, and do you have any privacy or ad-blocking extensions turned on?

    If allowing third-party cookies brings your scripts back, please consider accepting it as the answer. If the same error still appears, let me know and I'll be happy to keep helping.

    Reference:

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