How to Clear Cache in Excel

Last Updated: March 23, 2024
puneet-gogia-excel-champs

- Written by Puneet

Like other applications, Microsoft Excel uses a cache to store temporary data from the files you create.

Sometimes, the cache makes your file slow and takes storage space from your system.

In this situation, you can clear the cache from Excel or change the days to save the files in the cache memory.

cache-settings

There are two ways to clear the cache: the first is to create and use the Microsoft Upload Center App, and the second is to use the Excel option.

But Why is It Important to Clear the Excel Cache?

Clearing the Excel cache can provide several benefits, such as improving the application’s performance.

The Excel cache is a temporary storage type that the application uses to quickly access frequently used data.

Over time, this cache can become quite large as more and more data is stored.

This accumulation of data can result in the application slowing down because it requires more processing power to access and navigate the cache.

By clearing the cache, you essentially free up this processing power, allowing Excel to run faster and more efficiently.

This can be particularly useful when dealing with large spreadsheets or complex calculations, as it can help reduce loading times and improve the overall user experience.

How to Clear Excel Cache (Steps)

  1. First, go to the file tab and open the Excel options.
    excel-options
  2. From there, go to the save option and scroll to the end of the dialog box.
    save-option
  3. Now from the Cache Settings, click on the “Delete cached files”.
    delete-cached-files
  4. After that, you get a dialog box to confirm if you want to clear the cached files.
    confirm-delete-cached-files
  5. In the end, just click on “Delete Cached Files” to clear the Excel’s cache.

At this point, all the cached Excel files have been deleted from your system. Apart from this, there are a few more options in the same setting group that you need to know.

cache-file-options
  1. Days to Keep Files: You can change the settings to decide when you want Office to keep your files (cache data) in the cached memory. It is 14 days, by default, but you can specify a different day.
  2. Delete Files from Cache when they are Closed: This will delete files from the cached memory once you close the file.

Using Office Upload Center to Clear Cache in Microsoft Excel

You can also use the Office Upload Center with the Office software package.

Once you open the Upload Center, click on Settings ⇢ Delete cached files ⇢ Delete cached information.

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In Office 365, the Office Upload Center has been removed and replaced by Files Needing Attention. This option is found in File Tab ⇢ Open ⇢ Files Needing Attention.

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How to Clear Excel Cache from Temp Folder (Cached Files)

  1. Ensure that Excel is completely closed. All Excel files should be closed, and the application should be exited.
  2. Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard. This will open the Run dialog box.
  3. In the Run dialog box, type %temp% and press Enter. This will open the Temp folder, where the cache files are stored.
  4. In the Temp folder, look for any files that begin with ‘Excel’. These are the Excel cache files.
  5. Select all of the Excel cache files. You can do this by clicking on one file and pressing Ctrl+A on your keyboard.
  6. You can delete the selected files by right-clicking on them and choosing ‘Delete’ or pressing the Delete key on your keyboard.
  7. Close the Temp folder after all the Excel cache files have been deleted and Restart Excel.