Force shutting sown the desktop?

I think that an earlier computer had a way to force shutting off the computer if the shutting down command under the Apple icon did not work.

I have recently upgraded to Capitan software but am still working with the old hardware that includes Intel processors.

I also am still using Microsoft Office from 2011..

Today I could not open an Excel spreadsheet - I live by them - and then could not even force quit the program. And then... could not shut down the computer. Nothing happened. So I just turned off the switch at the power strip.

Surprisingly, when I started again, I aid not get the message that the computer was not shut down safely, or whatever the term they use.

I don't know how many here use a desktop but wonder whether there is any other way.

When I restarted and then went to my Excel file, I did get a notice that my changes were saved..

I wonder whether I need to get a new Office. Or a new computer.