Fix Excel Can’t Handle Large Data Issue: Solved

Overview: Excel can’t handle large data efficiently once files become too big or complex. If you are facing the same issue, then your Excel gets slow, freezes, or fails to open a file. This write-up explains why Excel cannot handle large datasets, how it impacts your work, how you find that your Excel is not opening a file, and the perfect solution to resolving this issue by reducing the size.

Microsoft Excel is one of the best and most used applications daily to manage and organize data. Excel can’t handle a large dataset is a common issue with users. Because when your file exceeds the limit, Excel starts crashing, freezing, and slowing down.

Don’t worry, here we will discuss all the possible methods and their limitations one by one. Let’s start the topic with some basic details.

Why Excel Can’t Handle Large Data?

Excel is mainly designed to handle small to medium datasets. When you try to open large Excel files, Excel starts consuming more system memory and power, which leads to performance issues.

After knowing the reasons why it happens, let’s understand the signs that help us understand why and when Excel can’t handle large datasets.

How to Fix the “Excel Can’t Handle Large Data” Issue?

We can resolve the “Excel not responding due to large data” issue by deleting unwanted rows, columns, and sheets, removing heavy formatting, converting formulas into values, and using other manual and automatic methods. Each method is explained below one by one:

Quick Suggestion to Handle Large Data Sets

Large data files contain a high risk of corruption, and if you can’t delete any data from the file, then splitting is the best way to handle and maintain your data file for the future as well. The SysTools Excel Splitter is the best way to handle large data files. It can divide your files by row, size, and sheets. Even if it works when you are unable to open large data files. It comes with multiple advanced features and filters, which make it the first preference of many users.

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How to Fix “Excel Can’t Handle Large Data”?

• Step 1: Download and start your solution.
• Step 2: Choose the “Split Excel” option.
• Step 3: Add your Excel files and folders.
• Step 4: Choose any “Split Option” accordingly.
• Step 5: Select the location and “Split” button.

Method 1: Delete Unnecessary Data

If your file contains unwanted rows, columns, sheets, or spaces, then you can remove them. Follow the given steps:

1. Open your Excel spreadsheet.
2. Select the unwanted rows, columns, and sheets.
3. Select the “Delete” button.
4. Remove old or duplicate sheets.

Method 2: Remove Heavy Formatting

Sometimes a file contains heavy formatting like cell colors, borders, conditional formatting, and styles, which can be a reason Excel can’t handle large data files. So, you can remove the formatting, limit the conditional formatting rules, and avoid formatting entire columns, etc.

Method 3: Convert Formulas into Values

If your dataset contains formulas, then Excel will recalculate repeatedly, resulting in slow performance. So, replace formulas with the final result after copying, so that Excel will not recalculate them again and again.

1. Open your file.
2. Copy the cells and formulas.
3. And paste the value only.
4. You can keep the backup of the formula as well.

Method 4: Excel Can’t Handle Large Data with Binary Format

You can save your Excel file as a Binary format (.xlsb) format which is smaller and loads faster than normal file extensions.

1. Open your Excel file.
2. Choose Save As from the File option.
3. Choose the XLSB from the list.
4. Select the saving location.

Limitations of All Manual Methods

• Manual methods don’t reduce Excel file size.
• Your file must be opened in Excel.
• The deletion method contains a high risk of losing information.

Another Blog: Read this article to remove password protection from Excel easily.

Method 5: Solve “Excel Can’t Handle Large Data” by Dividing

If Excel can’t handle a large dataset and not able to open it, then use the mentioned software. Because manual tricks can resolve the issue for a limited time, it cannot be solved permanently. The software divides your large data file, which makes it accessible and easy to manage for future work as well, without corruption and damage. For better understanding, you can read the given information:

How to Fix the “Excel Can’t Handle Large Data” Issue?

These are the steps for using this professional solution. You can watch the video for better visuals and steps to fix the “Excel can’t handle large data” issue:

1. Download it, and after installation, choose the “Split Excel” option.

   

2. Now upload your large Excel file using the “Add Files” and “Add Folders” options.

   

3. Locate the path of your file and choose the “Open” button.

   

4. After loading all files, choose the “Next” icon to continue the process.

   

5. Select any required “Split Option” as per need and use the “Browse” icon for location.

   

6. Select the “Split” button to start the process, and after completion, choose the “OK” icon.

   

7. Hit on the “View Report” to analyze the process and exported data.

   

Conclusion

It’s a frustrating situation when Excel can’t handle large data files, and it happens when the limit is exceeded. You can resolve it using these manual tricks. But if your Excel is not opening the file and you want to prevent it from corruption, then use the professional software. It will divide your large file into smaller parts, so you can open and manage it easily. This software supports all sizes of data file by losing or changing the data from the original spreadsheet. If you have any queries, you can contact us through live chat support.