Excel Performance Problems

Fix Excel Opening Slowly When Workbooks Contain Links

WPS Editor Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users experience slow loading times when trying to open large Excel workbooks that contain links to other files.

Fix Excel Opening Slowly When Workbooks Contain Links

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening large workbooks stored on OneDrive that contain references and links to external files.
Observed behavior: Excel takes an unusually long time to open the files, a behavior commonly triggered by a defect in a recent Microsoft 365 update.

Before you start

Before rolling back your Office installation, make sure to save and back up all your current workbooks locally to prevent any unexpected data loss during the version downgrade process.

Solution 1Recommended

Revert to a Previous Office Build

Roll back your Microsoft 365 installation to an earlier, stable version before the problematic update was applied.

Since this issue is often caused by a defect in a specific Microsoft 365 update, downgrading to a known-good build is the most effective temporary solution while waiting for an official patch from Microsoft.

Disable Automatic Updates

Open Excel, navigate to File > Account, click on 'Update Options', and select 'Disable Updates' to prevent Office from immediately reinstalling the broken build.

Identify Your Target Build

Check Microsoft's official release notes to identify the version number of the previous stable release you wish to roll back to.

Run the Reversion Command

Use the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool (ODT) or open Command Prompt as an administrator and use the 'OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=' command with your target build number.

Administrator Privileges Required: You may need IT administrator rights to use the Office Deployment Tool. If you are on a corporate network, contact your IT department to perform this rollback.

Solution 2

Disable Automatic Link Updates

Change Excel's settings to prevent it from automatically attempting to update external links when opening a workbook.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Faster Spreadsheet Performance with WPS Office

If Microsoft 365 updates are causing your spreadsheets to load slowly or crash, try WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that handles large workbooks and external links efficiently without the bloat.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the quick installation process.
2. Open Your Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click 'Open', and select your large workbook containing external links.
3. Work Without Delays: Experience faster loading times and manage your complex data seamlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Lightweight installation ensures faster software startup and file loading times.Handles complex workbooks and external references seamlessly.Free to use with a familiar interface, requiring no learning curve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do external links slow down Excel?

When Excel opens a workbook with external links, it attempts to connect to the source files to fetch the most recent data. If these files are large or stored on cloud services like OneDrive, network latency and background processing drastically increase the loading time.

How can I find out which links are slowing down my file?

You can view all external links by opening your workbook, navigating to the 'Data' tab, and clicking on 'Edit Links' (or 'Workbook Links' in newer versions). This menu shows the status and source of every linked file.

Is it safe to disable automatic link updates?

Yes, it is perfectly safe. Disabling automatic updates simply means your workbook will open displaying the last saved values of those links. You can still manually update the links anytime by going to the Data tab and clicking 'Update Values'.

Will Microsoft provide a permanent fix for this update defect?

Yes, Microsoft actively investigates known defects reported by users. A patch addressing performance issues with linked workbooks on OneDrive is typically included in subsequent Microsoft 365 update releases.

Excel & Data Problems