Excel (2000/2002) Slow to Save files with Many Worksheets

[Andy Keen]

I have some files with nearly 200 worksheets, about 2.5 Mb (Not much
data in each) which open in a fraction of a second (local drive on my
new laptop), but take 20 seconds to save. I've checked all the FAQs
and advice and tried everything. Still 20 seconds. I deleted all the
names and data. Still 20 seconds.

So I created a new blank workbook and just added 200 empty sheets. Not
as bad - 7 seconds, but still outrageously slow. What in heaven's name
is Excel doing all that time? If anyone could enlighten me I would be
extremely grateful, especially if there is a way around the problem
though I suspect not. Many thanks.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Andy

Quick to open but slow to close will most times be a function of MS Outlook's
Journalling feature being checked "on".

Have a look in Outlook under Tools>Options>Preferences>Journalling.

Un-check any application you don't want Journalled. Excel for sure.

Gord Dibben XL2002

 

[Andy Keen]

Thanks Gord, you are right to say that having the journalling set
slows down the save, but mine is not set. When I *do* set it, it goes
up to 27 seconds! I wonder if I should see whether Microsoft has any
answer to this ...

Many thanks for the thought, though.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Andy

I guess the next thing I would try is to re-boot then empty all Temp folders
and the TIF folder to see what happens.

Gord

 

[Andy Keen]

Hi Gord. I hadn't tried this - I thought it unlikely as the problem is
the same on both my machines and 2 different clients machines. I have
now tried it since you suggested it, and it makes no difference.

Please note that if I save a MUCH LARGER file(over 100 Mb) with only a
single sheet (completely full with numbers) it saves pretty quickly -
6 seconds. A single sheet file of 2.5 Mb saves immediately. This
problem is definitely relatedto the large number of sheets in the
workbooks.

Thanks, Andy