problem with excel spreadsheet

Question

problem with excel spreadsheet

I have been using a spreadsheet on excel which has become increasingly slower to the point now that it has become unusable. If I search the data I have enough time to put the kettle on before I get a result. I'm not sure but think the formatting is slowing it down but I don't know how to change this. For example one column is for entering names. If I start to type SM (for Smith) then all the names on the sheet that start with 'SM' come up on a list. This makes me think that, for lots of cells, there are is formatting that is looking in lots of other cells and this is slowing things down to the point that the sheet is pretty much a write off.

How can I remove the formatting or speed it up?

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 8, 2019 1:25 PM

Reply

Answer 1

dforgues

Level 1

33 points

Dec 8, 2019 2:52 PM in response to TrulyJulieIOM

TrulyJulieIOM,

I would say, you are not at the right place for asking a Microsoft question... ;-)

I personally now only using NUMBERS after dropping Microsoft, and I can save my file as an XLS if I need to....

Google it ! you will find tons of links on that subject.

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

89,865 points

Dec 8, 2019 3:03 PM in response to TrulyJulieIOM

Re Numbers, there are complex formulae that Numbers cannot calculate.

So for direct equivalence try Libre Office (free) Open your problem sheet in Libre Office and compare.

However my excel is lightening fast so make sure you have at least 8 preferably 16GB RAM and preferably SSD.

If its a single sheet workbook try select all, copy, and paste in a new workbook.

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Answer 3

Dec 9, 2019 12:18 AM in response to LD150

thanks. I wasn't aware that there was an alternative to excel. the spreadsheet isn't overly complicated but, because it was on Office on my original laptop, I just downloaded Office again on the Mac. I'll have a go at the Libre Office. Thank you for your help.

The Mac is new (with tons of space available)

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Answer 4

LD150

Level 10

89,865 points

Dec 9, 2019 1:19 AM in response to TrulyJulieIOM

Back to the original problem, with the sheet open, click on Preferences and then Automplete and see if unchecking the closest match while I type will help