How to Fix Slow Excel by Clearing Cache for Faster Performance

Excel can sometimes slow down due to cached data that accumulates over time, affecting responsiveness and file loading speeds. Clearing Excel’s cache helps free up system resources, remove temporary files, and improve overall performance. This guide walks you through the process step-by-step to get Excel running smoothly again.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC or Mac with Microsoft Excel installed
• Basic familiarity with navigating Excel and your operating system
• Administrator access may be required for some steps

Step-by-Step

1. Close all Excel workbooks and exit the application. Ensure Excel is completely shut down to avoid conflicts while clearing cache.
2. Clear Excel’s cache by deleting temporary files:
   1. On Windows, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
   2. Type %temp% and press Enter. This opens the temporary files folder.
   3. Look for folders or files related to Excel, such as those starting with “~” or “Excel”.
   4. Select these Excel-related temporary files and delete them. You can also clear all files here if you want to free up more space, but be cautious as some may be used by other apps.
3. Clear the Office Document Cache (if using Office 365 or newer versions):
   1. Open the “Microsoft Office Upload Center” from the Start menu.
   2. Click on “Settings” and then “Delete cached files.” Confirm the deletion.
   3. Close the Upload Center.
4. Clear Excel’s Recent Files Cache:
   1. Open Excel.
   2. Go to File > Options > Advanced.
   3. Scroll to the “Display” section and set “Show this number of Recent Workbooks” to 0.
   4. Click OK, then restart Excel.
   5. Optionally, go back and set the number back to your preferred count.
5. Clear Cache in Excel Add-ins:
   1. Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
   2. At the bottom, select “COM Add-ins” and click “Go.”
   3. Uncheck any add-ins you don’t use or suspect may cause slowdowns.
   4. Click OK and restart Excel.
6. Clear the Clipboard Cache:
   1. Open Excel.
   2. Go to the “Home” tab and click the small arrow at the bottom right of the Clipboard group to open the Clipboard pane.
   3. Click “Clear All” to remove all copied items stored in the clipboard cache.
7. Restart your computer. This ensures all cache files are cleared and memory is refreshed.
8. Open Excel and test performance. Try opening large or complex workbooks to see if speed has improved.

Common Mistakes

• Deleting system or unrelated temporary files: Not all files in the temp folder are safe to delete. Avoid deleting files unless you are sure they belong to Excel or are safe to remove.
• Skipping the Office Upload Center cache: Many users overlook this step, but it can hold large amounts of cached data that slow Excel.
• Failing to restart Excel or the computer: Changes often don’t take effect until Excel or Windows restarts.
• Disabling necessary add-ins without checking: Some add-ins are essential for your workbooks or company functions; disabling them may cause errors.
• Clearing only one cache type: Excel uses multiple caches; clearing just the temp files might not be enough.

Tips

• Regularly clear cache: Make clearing Excel cache part of your routine maintenance to avoid slowdowns.
• Keep Excel updated: Performance improvements and bug fixes in updates can reduce cache-related issues.
• Limit the number of Recent Files shown: Keeping this number low reduces the cache Excel needs to maintain.
• Manage add-ins carefully: Only enable add-ins you actively use to minimize resource consumption.
• Use Excel’s built-in cleanup tools: Features like “Inspect Document” can help find and remove hidden data that bloats files.
• Consider file size and complexity: Large data sets, many formulas, or complex pivot tables can slow Excel; optimizing these can complement cache clearing.

Troubleshooting

If clearing cache does not improve Excel’s speed, try the following:

• Check for add-in conflicts: Disable all add-ins, then enable them one by one to identify any causing slowdowns.
• Repair Office installation: Go to Control Panel > Programs > Microsoft Office > Change > Quick Repair or Online Repair.
• Check for large or corrupt files: Open Excel without loading recent files and try opening a small, simple workbook.
• Update your graphics driver: Sometimes Excel’s hardware acceleration causes lag; updating or disabling it can help.
• Disable hardware graphics acceleration: In Excel, go to File > Options > Advanced > Display and check “Disable hardware graphics acceleration.”
• Check system memory and CPU usage: Excel may be slow due to insufficient RAM or high CPU load from other applications.
• Create a new user profile: Sometimes user-specific settings cause issues; testing Excel under a new Windows user can isolate this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing cache delete my Excel files?

No, clearing cache only removes temporary files and stored data, not your saved Excel workbooks.

How often should I clear Excel’s cache?

Clearing cache every few weeks or when you notice slow performance is a good practice.

Will clearing cache affect my Excel settings?

Typically no. Cache clearing removes temporary data but keeps your preferences intact.

Can clearing cache fix crashes in Excel?

It can help if crashes relate to corrupted temporary files or overloaded cache, but crashes may have other causes.

Is there a way to automate clearing Excel cache?

Excel doesn’t have a built-in cache clearing scheduler, but you can create scripts or use cleanup tools to automate temp file deletion.

Does clearing cache improve Excel on Mac as well?

Yes, though the process differs—clearing temporary files and caches on Mac involves deleting specific folders in the Library directory.

By following these steps carefully, you can significantly improve Excel’s speed and responsiveness. Remember that cache clearing is just one part of maintaining optimal Excel performance, so also consider file optimization and system health for best results.

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