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Excel Performance Problems

How to Fix Excel Files Opening Progressively Slower from Microsoft Teams

Adam DavisAdam Davis Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user experiences progressively longer delays, reaching up to 30 seconds, when opening consecutive Excel files from Microsoft Teams in the desktop application.

How to Fix Excel Files Opening Progressively Slower from Microsoft Teams
Product
Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Teams
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Opening multiple Excel files consecutively from Microsoft Teams into the Excel desktop application.
Observed behavior
Each successive Excel file takes longer to open than the previous one. Excel for the web opens them normally but lacks the ability to refresh pivot tables.
Before you start

Ensure that you have saved your work and completely closed Microsoft Teams and all Office applications to prevent data loss or file conflicts during the repair process.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Microsoft Teams Cache and Update Office

Clearing the Teams cache and ensuring your Office applications are up to date can resolve synchronization and performance bottlenecks.

Microsoft Teams stores temporary data to load faster, but a bloated or corrupted cache can interfere with its integration with Office desktop applications. Updating Office ensures any known performance bugs are patched.

1
Quit Microsoft Teams

Right-click the Teams icon in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen and select 'Quit' to ensure it is completely closed.

2
Clear the Cache

Press Windows Key + R, type '%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams' (or '%localappdata%\Packages\msteams_8wekyb3d8bbwe' for the new Teams), and click OK. Delete all files and folders in this directory.

3
Update Microsoft Excel

Open Microsoft Excel, navigate to File > Account, click on 'Update Options', and select 'Update Now' to ensure you have the latest performance patches.

Clear Microsoft Teams Cache and Update Office
Tip: Restart your computer after performing these steps to ensure all cache clearing and updates take full effect.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Faster Spreadsheet Management with WPS Office

If Microsoft Excel continues to lag when opening files, consider trying WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, fast, and fully compatible alternative for all your spreadsheet needs without the heavy resource usage of Microsoft Office.

  1. 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click 'Download WPS Office Free' to get the installer.
  2. 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the lightweight installation.
  3. 3. Open Your Excel Files: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click 'Open', and select your .xlsx files to instantly view and edit your data without progressive delays.
Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv)Lightweight installation with rapid file opening speedsFamiliar user interface for seamless and quick migrationFree to use with built-in advanced data analysis and pivot table tools
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Excel files open quickly on the web but slowly on the desktop?

The web version processes files on cloud servers, bypassing local application caches and desktop syncing issues. However, Excel for the web may not support advanced features like refreshing complex pivot tables.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the slow opening times from Teams?

Reinstalling can help if the Office application files are heavily corrupted. However, if the issue is tied specifically to a bloated Microsoft Teams cache or a syncing bug between the two programs, reinstalling Office alone might not resolve it.

How can I refresh pivot tables if I have to use Excel for the web?

Excel for the web has limited support for pivot table refreshes depending on the data source. For complex data models or external connections, you must open the file in a fully-featured desktop application to refresh the tables properly.