Hi Jan!
Most Probable Causes
Most probable causes are:
** Windows NT/2000/XP
Too much accumulated junk in:
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\local settings\temp directory
** Excel 95/97/2000
Bloated Excel.xlb or Excel10.xlb file. I think that this has been
cured in Excel 2002 (XP) as I’ve not seen any reports of it happening.
Clearing the Operating System Temp file
Close Windows and re-open to ensure that any partly installed programs
have finished with the contents of the temp file.
To find your Temp file pretty quickly with either Operating System:
Start->Run
Type the following
%Temp%
Press OK
OR:
In Explorer for Windows 95/98 or ME
Find and Select C:\Windows\Temp File
In Windows NT/2000/XP
Find and Select C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\local settings\temp
Select all files and delete.
If you feel that’s extreme, just copy them to a new location before
deleting but remember that you can delete them later.
Try Excel again.
Explanation
The Windows\Temp file is used as a general dumping ground by programs
during the installation process. The trouble is that not all
installations clean up after themselves and sometimes the installation
is incomplete or aborted and over time a large amount of detritus
collects in there. (A bit like a programmer's office being the home of
once vital stuff like Pizza boxes and Coke bottles).
The trouble is that Excel needs to use that space as well. I think
that the issue is that the Temp folder is using up (and not letting go
of) the Swap File space that Excel also uses rather than Excel
actually using the Temp
file.
Charles Williams is the expert in performance issues generally and he
has added, “Controls such as Userforms create a lot of temp files.
Sometimes the old ones don’t get deleted and so you get a build up.
When Excel opens a workbook containing these controls it checks all
the existing temp files, so this can
take some time. Also they can get corrupted and cause a crash.”
Whatever, the precise mechanics we do find that many problems are
arising just after a major install of a program and processing tend to
slow down over time.
You'll find it good housekeeping to clear out the Temp file every now
and again but make sure that you shut down the computer first just in
case there's a partially installed program that hasn't finished with
stuff its
put in the Temp file
Checking for a Bloated xlb File
If that fails, locate the Excel.xlb or Excel10.xlb file using Start >
Search > For Files and Folders. The xlb file should not be above
around 30kb and is usually much smaller. If it is bloated, there’s not
a lot that can be done with it but you should move it from it’s
current location.
The xlb file is where Excel stores your toolbar settings and any
special toolbars or buttons that you create. Don’t worry about the
absence of one of these files. When Excel completes the next
successful open and close, you will find it has created a new file.
As a precautionary measure. Once you have done any messing about with
your toolbars to get them how you want or to add new toolbars or
buttons, you should take a backup copy of it. If it bloats again, at
least you won't have to go back to scratch.
References to Slow Open / Save Problems:
Opening/Saving Bottlenecks (Charles Williams)
http://www.decisionmodels.com/optspeedd.htm#OpSave
Troubleshoot Startup Problems(MS):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;280504
Some tips on overcoming slow response (David McRitchie)
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/slowresp.htm
Another reason may be that you have selected a large number of Addins
that need to be loaded each time Excel opens. Just check the Addins
and decide if you really need them.
--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed)
Excel and Word Function Lists (Classifications, Syntax and Arguments)
available free to good homes.
