Excel Performance Problems

Fix Excel Selecting Wrong Cell and Slow Saving Issues

Natalie Taylor Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is experiencing severe interface and performance issues where clicking a cell selects the one above it, and saving the workbook takes an unusually long time.

How to Fix Excel Selecting the Wrong Cell and Slow Saving Issues

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Working with macro-enabled workbooks (.xlsm) or older spreadsheet files stored on a home network, particularly when using a touchpad.
Observed behavior: Excel selects a cell above the cursor's intended location and exhibits significant lag before displaying the Save prompt.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting Excel, check if your device's touchpad drivers are fully up to date or test the workbook using a standard external mouse to rule out hardware-specific cursor glitches.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Microsoft 365 to the Latest Version

Updating Excel resolves known software bugs, such as the cell selection glitch present in older builds like version 2311.

Microsoft frequently releases patches to address interface bugs and performance lags. Upgrading to version 2312 or later has been shown to eliminate or significantly reduce the wrong cell selection and slow saving issues.

Open Account Settings

Launch Microsoft Excel, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Check for Updates

Under the Product Information section, click the 'Update Options' button and select 'Update Now'.

Restart Excel

Wait for the updates to download and install, then restart Excel to see if the cell selection accuracy and saving speeds have improved.

Update Microsoft 365 to the Latest Version

Update Successful: If you are managed by a corporate network, you may need your IT administrator to push the latest Microsoft 365 updates to your device.

Solution 2

Copy Data to a New Workbook or Use Compatibility Mode

Rebuilding the file or adjusting compatibility helps resolve saving lags caused by legacy Excel 2003 or 2006 formats.

Solution 3

Adjust Trust Center File Block Settings

Modifying file block settings prevents Excel from heavily scrutinizing older workbooks, which speeds up the saving process.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Fast, Glitch-Free Spreadsheets with WPS Office

If Microsoft Excel continues to lag or select the wrong cells after updating, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and fast spreadsheet experience without the heavy system requirements or premium subscription costs.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and run the quick installation.
2. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch the application and select 'Spreadsheets' from the home dashboard.
3. Load Your Excel File: Open your existing .xlsm or older Excel files to work smoothly without cursor glitches or saving lags.

Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-learn interface that requires no learning curve.Seamlessly opens, edits, and saves Microsoft Excel formats, including legacy .xls and modern .xlsx or .xlsm files.Lightweight software architecture ensures fast opening and saving, even for complex macro-enabled workbooks on a home network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel select multiple cells when I only click one?

This can happen if the 'Extend Selection' mode is accidentally enabled (indicated by 'Extend Selection' in the bottom status bar) or if your Shift/Ctrl keys are stuck. Press F8 to toggle Extend Selection off, or check your keyboard for stuck keys.

Does saving Excel files on a network drive cause slow performance?

Yes, network latency can significantly increase the time it takes to save files, especially macro-enabled (.xlsm) or large legacy files. Try saving the file locally to your desktop first to see if the saving speed improves.

What is Compatibility Mode in Excel?

Compatibility Mode engages automatically when you open a file created in an older version of Excel (like 2003 or 2007). It restricts newer features to prevent formatting or data loss but can occasionally cause performance degradation in modern Office builds.

Can an outdated touchpad driver cause cell selection issues?

Yes. Outdated or corrupted touchpad drivers can misinterpret your clicks or gestures, leading Excel to select a cell adjacent to your intended target. Updating your device drivers via Device Manager often resolves this.

Excel & Data Problems