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How to Remove Strikethrough Formatting from Formula Cells in Excel
Question details
The user needs to remove strikethrough formatting that appears exclusively on formula cells when the workbook is set to Manual calculation.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing large data files or running macros where calculation must be set to Manual to preserve performance.
- Observed behavior
- Excel automatically applies strikethrough formatting to formula cells to identify stale values, while regular text and value cells remain unaffected.
Verify if your workbook's calculation mode is intentionally set to Manual. The strikethrough is a built-in visual indicator in newer Excel versions designed to warn you that the formula results may be outdated.
Disable 'Format Stale Values' in Excel Options
This is the most effective method if you need to keep manual calculation enabled without seeing the disruptive strikethrough formatting.
By changing the default Excel Options, you can turn off the visual indicator that marks formulas as stale, which is especially helpful when dealing with large datasets or running macros.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the Excel ribbon, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, select 'Formulas' from the left-hand sidebar.
Under the 'Calculation options' section, find and uncheck the box labeled 'Format Stale Values'.
Click 'OK' at the bottom of the dialog box to save your settings. The strikethrough formatting will be immediately removed from your formula cells.
Switch Calculation Mode to Automatic
Use this solution if your workbook does not strictly require manual calculation, instantly updating formulas and clearing the strikethrough.
Use WPS Spreadsheet for Seamless Formula Management
WPS Office provides a highly compatible and lightweight spreadsheet tool that handles complex calculations and macros smoothly, without introducing intrusive auto-formatting for manual calculation modes.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free suite and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing data files directly.
- 3. Control Calculation Modes: Navigate to the Formulas tab to effortlessly switch between Manual and Automatic calculation without disrupting your cell formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Excel suddenly start crossing out my formula results?
In recent updates (such as version 2410), Excel introduced a 'Stale Values' feature. When your workbook is set to manual calculation, Excel crosses out formula cells to warn you that the displayed result hasn't been updated to reflect recent data changes.
How can I manually update the formulas to make the strikethrough go away?
You can force a calculation by pressing the F9 key to calculate the entire workbook, or Shift+F9 to calculate just the active worksheet. Once the formulas are calculated, they are no longer stale and the strikethrough will vanish.
Will the stale value strikethrough appear if I print the document?
Yes, if the 'Format Stale Values' option is active and the strikethrough is currently visible on your screen, it will typically print exactly as it appears. It is recommended to calculate the sheet or disable the format setting before printing.
Does disabling 'Format Stale Values' affect how formulas calculate?
No. Disabling this option only removes the visual strikethrough formatting. Your formulas will still wait to calculate until you manually trigger them or switch back to Automatic calculation.
