Not Enough Memory to Run Microsoft Excel [Fixed]

Sara Alsaqaf

Facing the 'Not Enough Memory to Run Microsoft Excel' error? Discover quick and effective fixes to resolve the issue and get Excel running smoothly again.

Not Enough Memory to Run Microsoft Excel Fixed

If you're a Microsoft Excel user, you may have encountered the error message "There isn't enough memory to complete this action Excel." This error can be frustrating, as it prevents you from working on your spreadsheets and analyzing data.

This article will explore the common causes of the "There isn't enough memory to complete this action Excel" error and provide step-by-step solutions to help you get your Excel program up and running again.

So, let's dive into the solutions and get your Excel program running smoothly again.

What causes the "Not enough memory" error in Excel?

  1. Large Excel file size: When your Excel file is too large, it may cause your computer to run out of memory.
  2. Copying formulas over a large area: When you try to copy or fill formulas into a large area, Excel needs more space in your computer's memory to complete the task.
  3. Other programs running in the background: If you have other programs running while using Excel, it can consume your computer's memory resources and cause the error message to pop up.
  4. Excel add-ins: Sometimes, third-party add-ins in Excel can cause memory issues and lead to the "Not enough memory" error.
  5. Outdated Excel version: If you're using an outdated version of Excel, it may not be optimized to handle larger files, leading to memory errors.

How to clear the clipboard to free up memory in Excel?

Clearing the clipboard can free up memory and help solve the problem. The clipboard is an Excel feature that stores items you copy or cut from your worksheet.

Here's how to clear the clipboard in Excel:

  1. Look for the Clipboard group on the Home tab of the Excel ribbon.
  2. Click on the small button in the lower right corner of the Clipboard group to open the Clipboard task pane.
  3. The Clipboard task pane will appear on the left side of your screen, showing all clips in the clipboard.
  4. To clear the entire clipboard, click the "Clear All" button in the bottom right corner of the Clipboard task pane.

Clearing the clipboard can help free up memory in Excel and prevent the "Not enough memory" error from appearing. It's a simple step when experiencing performance issues in Excel.

Remember to save your work before clearing the clipboard, as any data stored in the clipboard will be lost.

How to reduce the file size of an Excel document?

One way to reduce the file size of your Excel document is by saving it in a different file format.

Here's how to reduce the file size of an Excel document:

  1. Open your Excel document and click "File" in the top left corner of the screen.
  2. Click on "Save As" to open the Save As dialog box.
  3. In the Save As dialog box, choose "Excel Binary Workbook (*.xlsb)" from the drop-down menu under "Save as type."
    Save as type
  4. Choose a location to save the new file and give it a name.
  5. Click on "Save" to save the file as a binary workbook.

Binary workbooks have a smaller file size than the default XML-based format, which can help reduce memory usage and prevent the "Not enough memory" error from appearing.

How to optimize the performance of Excel on your computer?

To optimize the performance of Excel on your computer, here are some steps you can take:

  1. Optimize references and links: Avoid using absolute cell references, and instead, use relative cell references. This will make your formulas more flexible and prevent Excel from having to recalculate everything each time you make a change.
  2. Minimize the used range: Make sure you only have data in the cells that you actually need. Delete any empty rows or columns, and avoid formatting entire columns or rows.
  3. Allow for extra data: Leave space at the end of your data range for future additions. This will prevent Excel from recalculating everything when you add new data.
  4. Improve lookup calculation time: Use the VLOOKUP function instead of nested IF statements. This will speed up your calculations and make your formulas easier to read.
  5. Optimize array formulas and SUMPRODUCT: Use the SUMIFS or AVERAGEIFS functions instead of array formulas, and avoid using SUMPRODUCT with large arrays.

By following these steps, you can optimize the performance of Excel on your computer and prevent the "Not enough memory" error from appearing. Remember to save your work often and close any unnecessary programs to free up memory.

Reducing the file size of your Excel document can also help improve the program's overall performance.

Closing Non-Essential Apps

Here are the steps you can take to close these programs:

  1. Press your keyboard's Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to open the Task Manager.
  2. Look for the Processes tab and click on it.
  3. Find non-essential programs running in the background, such as music players, web browsers, or chat apps.
  4. Right-click on the program and choose "End task."
    End task
  5. Open Microsoft Excel again and see if the error message still appears.

Run Excel with Administrative Rights

You can fix it by running the program as an administrator. Here's how to do it:

  1. Click on the Start menu on your computer.
  2. Search for Microsoft Excel by typing "Microsoft Excel" in the search bar.
  3. Once you see the app appear in the search results, right-click on it.
  4. Select "Run as administrator" from the drop-down menu.
    Run as administrator
  5. If a pop-up message asks if you want to allow the app to change your computer, click "Yes."
  6. Check if you are still experiencing the problem.

By following these simple steps, you can run Microsoft Excel with administrative rights and avoid the "Not enough memory" error message from appearing. It's important always to ensure you have the necessary permissions to run programs on your computer to avoid any potential issues.

Fix Excel Low Memory Issue by Downloading Latest Windows Update

It is important to download the latest Windows update to fix this problem. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Open the Settings menu on your computer using one of the many available ways.
  2. Choose "Windows Update" from the menu on the left.
    Windows Update
  3. Click on "Check for Updates" to start the update process.
    Check for Updates
  4. Wait for the system to search for and download available updates.
  5. Once the download and installation of updates are complete, restart your computer.

After restarting, open Microsoft Excel again and check if the problem persists. The latest Windows update should help optimize the performance of your system and fix any low-memory issues you may be experiencing with Excel.

Updating Microsoft Office to Fix Excel Memory Issue

You need to update your Microsoft Office program. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open Microsoft Excel
  2. Look for the "Account" option in the screen's bottom left corner.
    Account
  3. Click on "Update Options"
  4. From the context menu that appears, choose "Update Now."
    Update Now

When you click "Update Now," Microsoft Office will check for available updates. If an update is available, save and close any unfinished work before starting the update process.

Updating Microsoft Office can help fix bugs or issues causing low memory errors. By ensuring your software is up-to-date, you can help ensure that Microsoft Excel runs smoothly and efficiently.

FAQs

Why does Excel say I don't have enough memory?

Excel may display the "don't have enough memory" error when it exceeds its memory limitations due to large file sizes, complex formulas, or limited system resources.

How come I don't have enough memory to delete rows in Excel?

If you don't have enough memory to delete rows in Excel, it could be due to large file sizes, a high number of calculations, or other memory-intensive processes running in the background.

How do I clear memory space in Excel?

To clear memory space in Excel, you can try closing unnecessary workbooks, exiting unused applications, disabling add-ins, or restarting Excel to release any allocated memory.

What is the memory limit for Excel?

The memory limit for Excel depends on the version and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit), with 32-bit Excel typically limited to 2GB or 4GB, while 64-bit Excel can handle significantly larger amounts of memory.

How do I clear data memory?

To clear data memory in Excel, you can delete unnecessary data ranges or tables, remove unused worksheets, close any external data connections, and consider optimizing your formulas to reduce memory usage.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the "Not enough memory" error message can be frustrating when using Microsoft Excel. However, several solutions can help you fix this problem. 

You can clear your clipboard, reduce the file size of your document, and optimize the performance of Excel on your computer. Closing any non-essential background applications and upgrading your computer's memory can also help. 

It's important to remember to save your work frequently and keep your computer running smoothly by regularly updating it and avoiding unnecessary programs running in the background. By following these steps, you can enjoy a seamless and efficient experience using Microsoft Excel.

One more thing

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Author: Sara Alsaqaf