Excel: Worksheet Recalculates More Than Seems Necessary

 Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
Article ID: Q61292

SUMMARY

When Microsoft Excel performs "intelligent recalculation," it determines which cells to recalculate based on those cells that are dependent on the cell that has changed.

For example, if you make a change to cell A1, all the cells that base their result on A1 are put into a recalculation chain. Excel then starts recalculating those cells.

If other cells are dependent on those cells that are included in this calculation chain, Excel recalculates those cells also.

However, at some point, Excel determines that it is quicker to recalculate the whole worksheet, rather than to find out which cells need to be recalculated separately.

To suppress calculation after every entry, set calculation to Manual, by choosing Calculation from the Options menu and selecting Manual.

Manual calculation sets Excel to recalculate only when Calculate Now is chosen from the Options menu or COMMAND+= is pressed on the keyboard.

Note: When in manual calculation mode, Excel performs a full worksheet recalculation when a recalculation is performed.

MORE INFORMATION

To determine which cells are dependent on a particular cell in Excel 2.20, do the following:

  1. Select the supporting cell or range of cells.

  2. From the Formula menu, choose Select Special.

  3. Click Dependents and click All Levels.

  4. Click OK.

All cells that depend on the supporting cell(s) will be highlighted.

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Additional reference words: noupd

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Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
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