excel crashing

Xmpekr 0 Reputation points
2025-08-06T18:41:38.15+00:00

Hello, I have an excel file (xlsx) that contains multiple formulas and has multiple tabs due to the business needs. This excel is being fed data from multiple other excel files. All the files are stored in a file server due to security restriction at my company and cannot be stored locally on the device. The problem that I have been experiencing is, that sometimes when I try to save this file, it can cause the whole application to crash and it fails to even restore the files, so all of my work is gone. What I have tried till now:

  1. Repair Excel.
  2. Disable Copilot
  3. Disable all Add ins.
  4. Disabled Hyper threading on excel
  5. Deleted all appdata of excel
  6. Disabled auto save functionality
  7. Checked Event viewer, it just shows generic crash on the excel application.
  8. Reinstalled application.
  9. Updated 365 suite to latest version.
  10. Performed all drivers and firmware updates on the device.

Hardware specs: Windows 24h2 I7 13th Gen 32GB of RAM

Any suggestions or ideas on how to fix this once and for all?

Anyone else experincing same or similar issue? Thanks in advance.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For business | iOS
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  1. Kai-L 1,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-08-06T19:11:37.62+00:00

    Dear @Xmpekr,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Community

    Your situation is particularly challenging because the files are on a file server, which introduces network-related complexities. You've already performed most of the standard troubleshooting steps, which is great. Since the issue is intermittent and seems to happen only with this specific file and its dependencies, it's very likely a combination of the file's complexity and a network-related conflict.

    Here are some suggestions and ideas to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the problem once and for all:

     

    Complex files with numerous formulas and external links can become corrupted over time. Even if the file opens, a specific operation like saving might expose a hidden corruption.

    • Perform a "Save As": Instead of just pressing Ctrl + S, use File > Save As and save the file with a new name. This forces Excel to create a completely new file and can sometimes eliminate minor corruption.
    • Use Excel's Built-in Repair Feature:
      1. Open Excel without a file.
      2. Go to File > Open > Browse.
      3. Navigate to your file, but do not open it.
      4. Click the arrow next to the "Open" button and select Open and Repair.

    User's image

    The file's complexity is a significant factor. While your hardware is excellent, a poorly structured workbook can still overwhelm Excel.

    • Convert to Binary Workbook (.xlsb): The standard .xlsx format is based on XML, which can be slow for large, complex files. The .xlsb format is a binary format that is often more stable and efficient, leading to faster saves and smaller file sizes.
    • To do this, go to File > Save As and choose Excel Binary Workbook (*.xlsb) from the dropdown list.
    • Simplify Formulas and Links: Try to isolate whether the crash is caused by a specific data connection.
    • Break External Links: In a copy of the file, go to Data > Queries & Connections > Edit Links and try breaking the links to see if the crash still occurs. This helps isolate the issue.
    • Consolidate Data: If possible, consider consolidating data from multiple files using Power Query to reduce the number of live external links, which are a common source of instability.
    • Check for Volatile Functions: Very long or volatile formulas (like INDIRECT or OFFSET) can be particularly demanding during a save operation.

     

    Advanced Troubleshooting

    Since you've already tried most of the standard fixes, these are more advanced options.

    • Excel Safe Mode: While you've disabled add-ins, running Excel in Safe Mode (excel.exe /safe from the Run command) will open it with a minimal set of features and can help isolate the issue further by bypassing any add-ins, settings, or startup workbooks.
    • Check the Event Viewer for More Details: Although the error report is generic, sometimes you can get more specific details. Look for the "Faulting module name" within the crash details, as this could point to a specific driver or DLL file that is causing the problem.
    • Check for Network Drops: Have an IT admin check for any intermittent network drops or high latency between your computer and the file server. A small drop can be enough to interrupt the save process.

    I hope this information helps clarify the situation and provides you with workable solutions. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're always here to help. Have a wonderful day!


    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

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