Fix: There Isn’t Enough Memory To Complete Action in Excel

This tutorial will discuss some ways to fix the problem there isn’t enough memory to complete the action in Excel.

 

 

It is possible to have very large files in Excel as you are able to have up to 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns in each sheet where the number of sheets in each workbook is determined by the memory size of your computer. If you are working on an extremely large file, or have a number of large files open, you may also get this error.

Switch to Manual Calculation Mode

One of the ways to solve this error is to switch on manual calculation mode in your file. By default, this is set to automatic but if you file has a lot of complicated formulas, and is made up of many worksheets, you may find that this will solve the error.

In the Ribbon, select File > Options.

 

 

Then (1) select Formulas and in the Calculation options, Workbook Calculation select (2) Manual. (3) Click OK.

 

 

Restart Excel for the settings to take effect.

Separate Large Files Into Smaller Ones

If neither of the above actions help, try moving some worksheets from the large file into a number of smaller files.

Right-click on the worksheet tab of the sheet you wish to move.

 

 

In the To book drop-down list, select (new book) and make sure that Create a copy is not checked.

 

 

Click OK to move your worksheet to a new file. Save the file with your required name and close the file.

Repeat as necessary to divide your large Excel file into a number of smaller files.

Ensure all the Updates for Excel are Installed

In the Ribbon, select File > Account.

If an update for Office is available, it will show under Product Information.

 

 

Select Office Updates and then select Update Now.

Disable Graphics Acceleration

Another solution could be to disable graphics acceleration. Graphics acceleration enables the computer hardware to increase performance with regards to displaying graphics. It is, however, very memory hungry!

1. In the Ribbon, select File > Options.
2. Then select Advanced and check Disable hardware graphics acceleration.

 

 

3. Click OK to close.
4. Restart Excel.

Lack of PC Memory

It could be that you do not have enough memory on your PC to run your Excel files. If this is the case, you would need to increase your memory size by installing more RAM on your computer.