Excel Spreadsheet Cell Calculation

By default, Microsoft Excel calculates cell values automatically and instantaneously. However, in very large spreadsheets on slower computers it is sometimes worth disabling the automatic calculation to ease data entry.

To Enable Automatic Calculation

Excel 2007 and Later

• Go to the Formulas tab.

• Under Calculation Options, choose Automatic.

Excel 2003 and Earlier

• Go to Tools → Options.

• Click the Calculation tab.

• Select Automatic.

• Click OK.

To Disable Automatic Calculation

Excel 2007 and Later

• Go to the Formulas tab.

• Under Calculation Options, choose Manual.

Excel 2003 and Earlier

• Go to Tools → Options.

• Click the Calculation tab.

• Select Manual.

• Click OK.

To Calculate Manually

• Press F9 to calculate all open workbooks.

• Press Shift-F9 to calculate the current worksheet.

• Press Ctrl-Alt-F9 to force a recalculation in all open workbooks, even if nothing has changed since the last calculation.