Introduction:

Excel is a powerful tool for data analysis and reporting, but as workbooks grow in complexity and size, performance issues may arise, impacting productivity and efficiency. To turbocharge Excel performance on Windows systems, it's essential to optimize workbook settings, reduce file size, and implement strategies that enhance processing speed. In this guide, we will explore seven effective ways to speed up Excel sheets on Windows, enabling users to work more efficiently and effectively large datasets and complex calculations.

1. Disable Automatic Calculation:
   By default, Excel recalculates formulas and functions whenever a change is made in the workbook, which can slow down performance, especially in large datasets. To speed up Excel, consider disabling automatic calculation and manually trigger recalculation when necessary. To do this:
   
   
   
   • Go to the Formulas tab, click on Calculation Options, and select Manual.
   
   
   
   


2. Optimize Workbook Settings:
   Adjusting workbook settings can improve Excel performance significantly. Consider the following optimizations:
   
   
   
   • Turn off gridlines and unnecessary formatting.
   
   
   • Disable animated graphics and unnecessary add-ins.
   
   
   • Minimize the number of worksheets open simultaneously.
   
   
   
   


3. Use Excel Tables for Data:
   Excel Tables offer several advantages, including structured data organization, automatic range expansion, and enhanced filtering and sorting capabilities. By converting data ranges into Excel Tables, you can boost performance and simplify data management tasks.


4. Minimize the Use of Volatile Functions:
   Volatile functions, such as OFFSET and INDIRECT, recalculate whenever any change occurs in the workbook, even if the change is unrelated to the function. Minimize the use of volatile functions where possible to reduce unnecessary calculations and improve performance.


5. Utilize 64-bit Excel Version:
   If you are working with large datasets that require substantial memory allocation, consider using the 64-bit version of Excel on a 64-bit Windows system. The 64-bit version can handle larger file sizes and datasets more efficiently compared to the 32-bit version.


6. Reduce File Size and Complexity:
   Large file sizes and complex formulas can slow down Excel performance. To optimize performance, consider the following:
   
   
   
   • Remove unused sheets, rows, and columns.
   
   
   • Compress images and embedded objects.
   
   
   • Avoid excessive formatting and conditional formatting rules.
   
   
   
   


7. Enable Multithreaded Calculation:
   In Excel, multithreaded calculation allows the application to use multiple processor cores to perform calculations simultaneously, speeding up processing speed for complex workbooks. To enable multithreaded calculation:
   
   
   
   • Go to File > Options > Advanced.
   
   
   • Scroll down to the "Formulas" section and check the box for "Enable multithreaded calculation."
   
   
   
   

Conclusion:
By implementing these seven strategies to speed up Excel sheets on Windows, users can optimize performance, enhance productivity, and improve efficiency when working with large datasets and complex workbooks. From adjusting calculation settings and optimizing workbook configurations to utilizing Excel Tables and reducing file size, these tactics offer practical solutions to turbocharge Excel performance and ensure a seamless user experience. By incorporating these performance-enhancing techniques into your Excel workflow, you can maximize the capabilities of the application and work more effectively with data, calculations, and reports on Windows systems.

Attribution Statement:

This article is a modified version of content originally posted on WORLDWIDEDIGEST