How To Clear Excel Cache on Windows & Mac

Dec 05, 2024

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Do you want to learn how to clear Excel cache?

Clearing the cache in Microsoft Excel helps you maintain optimal performance and prevent potential errors. Over time, cached data can accumulate, leading to slower operations and possible file corruption. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to clear Excel's cache.

What Is Cache in Excel and Why Clear It?

Excel utilizes different types of cache to improve performance:

Formula Cache: Stores the results of formula calculations to expedite recalculations.
PivotTable Cache: Holds a copy of the source data for PivotTables, enabling faster recalculations.
Clipboard Cache: Retains copied data for quick pasting within Excel.

While these caches enhance efficiency, accumulating cached data can lead to slower performance, increased memory usage, and even errors like file corruption. Clearing the cache regularly helps maintain Excel's speed and reliability.

Different Ways to Clear Excel Cache

Now that you know the importance of clearing Excel cache, let's show you how to go about it:

1. Using Excel Options.

Excel provides a straightforward way to clear cached files:

Open Excel and go to the File tab.
Select Options to open the Excel Options dialog box.
Click on the Save category.
Locate the Cache Settings section.
Click Delete cached files and confirm the action in the prompt.

Tip: You can also adjust settings to delete cached files automatically when they are closed.

2. Using the Microsoft Office Upload Center.

For older Office versions with an Upload Center, cached Excel files can be managed here:

Search for Office Upload Center in the Start menu.
Click Settings in the Upload Center.
Under Cache Settings, select Delete cached files and confirm the action.

Note: For Office 365 and newer versions, the Microsoft Upload Center app has been replaced by the Files Needing Attention feature. You can find in File > Open > Files Needing Attention.

3. Clearing PivotTable cache.

Old data in PivotTables can slow down your workbook. You can take these steps to clear pivot table cache:

Right-click any cell in the PivotTable and select PivotTable Options.
Go to the Data tab.
Set the Number of items to retain per field to None.
Click OK and refresh the PivotTable by right-clicking it and selecting Refresh.

4. Manually deleting temporary files.

Manually deleting temporary data clears up storage and resolves potential conflicts caused by residual data. To clear them:

Close Excel completely.
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type %temp% and press Enter to open the Temp folder.
Delete files starting with "Excel."
Empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove these files.

5. Using VBA to clear cache.

You can write a simple VBA macro to clear cached data in Microsoft Office tools. This method is suitable for large workbooks with extensive formula use. If you can't write VBA codes yourself, you can ask an AI tool like ChatGPT or Claude to write one.

Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
Insert a new module and paste the following code:

Sub ClearExcelCache()

Application.CalculateFull

End Sub
Run the macro to force a full recalculation to effectively clear cached formula results.

How To Clear Excel Cache on Mac

Some of the steps for clearing cache in Excel may differ for Mac users, as the interface and file system in MacOS are distinct from Windows. Here's a breakdown of steps tailored for Mac users:

1. Using Excel Preferences

Open Excel on your Mac.
Navigate to the Excel menu in the top bar and select Preferences.
Look for settings related to File Sharing or Save (depending on your Excel version).
Clear cached files or disable any cache-related options.

2. Manually Deleting Temporary Files

Close Excel completely.
Open Finder.
Go to ~/Library/Caches/Microsoft/Office.
- You can access this by pressing Command + Shift + G in Finder and typing the path above.
Locate and delete Excel-related cache files.

Final Thoughts on "How To Clear Excel Cache on Windows & Mac"

Clearing Excel's cache is a simple way to enhance performance, resolve errors, and free up memory. Regular maintenance ensures your workbooks run smoothly, especially when dealing with large datasets or complex calculations. Following the methods outlined in this guide, you can keep Excel operating at its best, whether using Windows or Mac.

For more easy-to-follow Excel guides and the latest Excel Templates, visit Simple Sheets and the related articles section of this blog post.

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FAQ on "How To Clear Excel Cache on Windows & Mac"

1. How often should I clear Excel’s cache?
It's a good practice to clear the cache periodically, especially if you work with large or complex files regularly. This helps maintain optimal performance and prevents potential errors.

2. Will clearing the cache delete my files or data?
No, clearing the cache only removes temporary files or cached data and does not affect your actual Excel files or saved data. Always double-check before deleting temporary files manually.

3. Can clearing the cache fix file corruption in Excel?
Clearing the cache can resolve some issues related to file corruption caused by residual data. However, for severe corruption, additional recovery methods may be required.

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