Excel File Slow to Respond? Try These 11 Lightning-Fast Solutions!

It can be really frustrating situation when waiting for an Excel to respond, it can disrupt your workflow and even productivity. No matter whether you are working on a simple or a complex spreadsheet, slow performance can be a major obstacle. Well, in this blog, I will discuss the common causes of Excel file slow to respond issue and provide working strategies to fix it.

So let’s get started…

Why Is Excel Running So Slowly?

Before fixing the Excel slowness issue, it is vital to identify the roots for better resolution. So, let’s extract the major causes of this problem:

1. Large Excel files with widespread data, such as formulas, formatting, etc.
2. External links and references
3. Complex formulas and calculations can significantly slow down the spreadsheet performance.
4. Using an outdated Excel software.
5. Due to faulty add-ins within Excel.
6. Enabled hardware acceleration feature.
7. Virus or malware attacks.

How to Fix Excel File Slow to Respond Issue?

Here I described the possible working solutions that will help you troubleshoot Microsoft Excel slow to respond.

Solution 1: Update The Graphics Card Drivers

This is one of the common reasons that cause the Excel workbook to run slow. So, if you have a graphics card on your system then try to update the drivers. To update the drivers visit the manufacturer’s website or Microsoft official website to check for the latest updates and try installing them.

Moreover, you can also make use of the Free Driver Booster which helps you to update the drivers automatically.

Solution 2: Start Excel In Safe Mode

If the above solution won’t help you to fix this problem, try to start Excel in Safe Mode.

Follow the steps to do so:

• First, close Excel completely > press Windows + R > and in the Run dialog box type Excel.exe/safe  > hit Enter.

• If Excel opens with the above steps, then it might happen any plug-in or other software is installed that interferes with the software.
• Then try to disable the plug-in and uninstall the software related to the programs. But if you still experience problems in starting Excel in safe mode, then try the next solutions
• Choose File > Options > Add-ins.
• Select Excel Add-ins in the Manage drop-down menu > choose Go…
• If in case any items are checked, then uncheck them and choose OK. This disables the Add-ins causing the issue.

• Next close Excel and launch normally.

Hope the Excel file launches normally but if not then try disabling the “COM Add-ins”, “Actions”, and “XML Expansion Packs”. Doing this will help you to open Excel files normally.

Solution 3: Disable Hardware Acceleration

Another effective method to tackle the Excel slowness issue, try disabling the hardware acceleration for Excel to fix the issue.

Follow the steps given:

• Open Excel program and click on the options.

• Then go to the Advanced tab.
• And under the Display section > uncheck the box for ‘Disable hardware graphics acceleration’.
• Click OK.

Solution 4: Scan For Virus Infection to Fix Excel File Slow to Respond

In many cases the virus or malware infection causes the Excel file to run slow so, it is worth scanning your system with a good antivirus tool.

Perform a complete scan with a good antivirus program and check whether the issue is resolved.

Also Read: Fix Excel 2016 Freezes When Copying & Pasting Issue

Solution 5: Change Default Printer (Possibly a Solution)

Well, this is a working solution that worked for many users to resolve slow-running Excel files. The printer driver corruption causes the issue for many so, try to change the default printer and update the printer driver with the latest update.

You can also try to uninstall and reinstall the printer driver or contact the printer manufacturer to do so.

After that check, if the Excel slow to respond issue is fixed or not.

Solution 6: Use Quick Formula Techniques

Excel offers its users lots of formula or formula combos to do the same things. To identify and use the fastest ones.

Have a look over some of the examples:

Instead of using ISERROR and IF combo just make use of the IFERROR.

• Use the IFERROR in place of IF & ISERROR combo.
• Instead of using IF(A1>0,A1,0) just use the MAX(A1,0). As it is found that MAX option approx 40% much faster than the IF option.
• Just like the same instead of using the VLOOKUP function you can use the INDEX/MATCH combo.
• Use the INDEX/MATCH combo, instead of VLOOKUP.
• You can use double negatives for converting up FALSE and TRUE to 0 and 1. Quick improvement can easily be noticed in large data sets.

Solution 7: Avoid Using Complete Row/Column As Reference (A:A)

The only reason behind stopping you from using the entire Row/Column As References in the formulas. We all think that Excel columns and rows have few cells with data but Excel doesn’t think in this way.

When the entire row/column is referenced. Excel checks it manually one by one which consumes more time in calculations. So, try to use fewer rows and columns to fill the data.

Solution 8: Keep Spreadsheet Small

An oversized Excel file is highly responsible for Excel running slow and freezing, because a large Excel spreadsheet consumes a large space. You need to have enough storage space on the system so that you can easily get rid of any issues efficiently and smoothly.

Following are some ways to reduce Excel file size:

• Save the Excel File in the .xlsb file format
• Remove Unused Cells
• Eliminate the Cell Formatting
• Remove Unwanted Formulas
• Compress the Images

Solution 9: Processing Excel From Network or Web App

If you are directly trying to edit Excel spreadsheets in a Web App such as SharePoint, this may lead to a slow Excel spreadsheet.

Instead of editing this file directly from the network, download the file to your PC and then edit it. After completing editing, upload the file back, and check it out immediately.

Also Read: Unlock Excel Freeze Panes Not Working Fixes- 2024 Guide!

Solution 10: Enable Superfetch From Registry

In some of the cases, excel opens normally and you can load the Excel workbook files without any problem. But in some cases, it is found that the Excel file gets stuck when double click the Excel icon.

This problem mainly arises when Superfetch features are turned off.  This feature is mainly based on the cached data present over the RAM. So, the file can be easily fetched when necessary

Here are the steps that you need to follow:

• Press the ‘Win + R’ key from your keyboard and then in the open Run window type ‘Regedit.

• This will open the Windows registry
• Go to the: ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager/MemoryManagement/PrefetchParameters’.
• Search for the “EnableSuperfetch” at the right windows and then change its value to 1.
• If the option of EnableSuperfetch is not present, then make a right-click over the right windows and then choose the ‘New> DWORD Value’. Assign the value to 1.

Solution 11: Automatic Solution- MS Excel Repair Tool

It is recommended to make use of the MS Excel Repair Tool. It is the best tool to repair all sorts of issues, corruption, and errors in Excel workbooks. This allows us to easily restore all corrupt Excel files including the charts, worksheet properties cell comments, and other important data.

This is a unique tool to repair multiple Excel files in one repair cycle and recover the entire data in a preferred location. It is easy to use and compatible with both Windows as well as Mac operating systems.

Try Now       Buy Now

* Free version of the product only previews recoverable data.

Steps to Utilize MS Excel Repair Tool:

Tips to Avoid Excel Slow to Respond in the Future

By following the below effective tips and precautionary measures, you can maintain a smooth Excel experience:

1. Regularly update both Microsoft Excel & your OS.
2. Keep a valid and regular backup of your worksheets.
3. Close needless applications & background processes.
4. Don’t forcefully close the MS Excel application.

FAQs:

How Can I Determine the Size of My Excel File?

To check the Excel file’s size, navigate to file tab >> click 'Info,' and then look for the 'Workbook Size' section.

Why Is My Excel File Hanging and Not Responding?

Your Excel file hanging and not responding due to running outdated Excel software, insufficient memory, or corrupted/ damaged files.

Can I Speed Up MS Excel by Upgrading My PC’s Hardware?

Yes, upgrading your PC’s hardware can improve Excel's performance, especially when working with large spreadsheets.

How Do I Make Excel Run Faster?

To make Excel run faster, avoid using too many external links, complex functions, and formulas, or insert images or watermarks.

Does RAM Affect Excel Performance?

As more RAM is added to the PC, Excel uses that additional memory, allows larger and larger workbooks, and scales with the amount of RAM available.

Also Read: Excel Opens Minimized Issue: 9 Easy Methods Revealed!

Final Thoughts

Excel tends to slow down or start crashing after some time so, it is very important to be careful while using Excel worksheets. And try your best to avoid some mistakes that make the Excel slow down to crawl.

After following the solutions mentioned above in this blog, you can speed up your Excel and resume your work.