Excel Performance Problems

Fix Excel Out-of-Memory Errors When Updating Charts

Partner Editor Sep 25, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is experiencing memory leaks or out-of-memory errors in Excel, resulting in application crashes during frequent chart updates.

How to Fix Excel Out-of-Memory Errors When Updating Charts

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating charts frequently in workbooks containing volatile formulas or using Excel DNA add-ins.
Observed behavior: Excel memory usage continually grows during chart updates until the application crashes or displays an out-of-memory error.

Before you start

Ensure you save a backup copy of your workbook and close other intensive background applications to free up system memory before proceeding with these tests.

Solution 1Recommended

Replace Volatile Formulas with Static Values

Volatile functions like RAND(), NOW(), and TODAY() recalculate constantly, triggering excessive chart updates. Replacing them with static values helps stabilize memory.

Functions that automatically recalculate upon every worksheet change are known as volatile formulas. In a workbook with heavy charting, these functions can cause endless recalculation loops, rapidly consuming available memory.

Locate Volatile Formulas

Identify cells in your workbook using functions such as RAND(), NOW(), or TODAY() that are linked to your charts.

Copy the Data

Select the cells containing these volatile formulas and press 'Ctrl + C' on your keyboard to copy them.

Paste as Values

Right-click the selected area, navigate to 'Paste Special' in the context menu, and choose 'Values' to convert the dynamic formulas into static data.

Replace Volatile Formulas with Static Values

Optimization Tip: If you need random or time-based data updated regularly, consider writing a macro to generate static values periodically instead of relying on real-time volatile functions.

Solution 2

Isolate Add-in Issues by Testing a Simplified Workbook

Test a basic workbook to determine if the memory leak is caused by native Excel functions or third-party tools like Excel DNA.

Solution 3

Report the Memory Leak to Microsoft Support

If the issue persists and involves a confirmed memory leak, submit diagnostic data for professional analysis.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Smooth Chart Updates

If Excel continues to crash due to unresolved memory leaks, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that handles complex spreadsheets and frequent chart updates smoothly without draining system resources.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and install the free version of WPS Office.
2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx file directly.
3. Update Charts Smoothly: Edit your data and update charts with reliable memory management and stable performance.

Lightweight architecture minimizes the risk of out-of-memory errors.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats, including .xlsx, .xls, and .csv.Familiar user interface ensures a seamless migration without a steep learning curve.Highly stable performance during heavy data recalculation and chart rendering.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes an out-of-memory error in Excel?

This error typically occurs when Excel reaches its memory limit due to excessively large files, infinite recalculation loops from volatile formulas, complex charts updating too quickly, or memory leaks caused by third-party add-ins like Excel DNA.

What is a volatile formula in Excel?

A volatile formula is a function that recalculates every time any change is made anywhere in the worksheet. Common examples include RAND(), NOW(), TODAY(), OFFSET(), and INDIRECT(). Excessive use of these functions can drastically reduce performance and increase memory consumption.

How can I monitor Excel's memory usage?

You can monitor memory usage by pressing 'Ctrl + Shift + Esc' to open the Windows Task Manager. Navigate to the 'Processes' tab, locate 'Microsoft Excel', and observe the 'Memory' column while updating your charts to see if consumption continually grows.

Excel & Data Problems