How to Fix Excel for Mac Slowing Down During AutoRecover Over VPN
Question details
Users experience significant lag in Excel for Mac when editing a network-stored workbook over a VPN, specifically during the background AutoRecover process.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Editing a workbook stored on a Windows server over a remote VPN connection.
- Observed behavior
- Excel becomes slow or unresponsive when AutoRecover runs, even though AutoRecover files are set to be stored locally on the Mac.
Verify that your VPN connection is stable and ensure you have manually saved a backup copy of your workbook to your local drive before modifying any application settings.
Edit a Local Copy of the Workbook
The most reliable way to prevent network-related lag is to download the file to your Mac, edit it locally, and upload it back to the server.
Network latency over a VPN can cause Excel to hang when communicating with a Windows server, even if the AutoRecover file itself is stored locally. By moving the active file to your local drive, you eliminate the constant network checks Excel performs.
Use Finder to navigate to the network drive where the workbook is hosted. Copy the Excel file and paste it into a local folder on your Mac, such as your Desktop or Documents folder.
Open the newly copied local file in Excel for Mac. AutoRecover will now execute instantly without trying to ping the remote Windows server.
Once your editing session is complete, save the file. Drag and drop it back to the original network folder, replacing the older version.
Disable or Adjust AutoRecover Settings
Turning off AutoRecover stops the background saving process that causes the lag, serving as a temporary workaround for network latency.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Editing
If network latency and slow AutoRecover features in Microsoft Excel are disrupting your workflow over VPN connections, WPS Office offers a highly optimized alternative for macOS. It efficiently handles large spreadsheets, minimizes background resource usage, and helps prevent frustrating interface lags.
- 1. Download the WPS Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website on your Mac and download the free installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office application into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Network File: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, connect to your server or local directory, and open your Excel document to enjoy fast editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does AutoRecover slow down Excel over a VPN?
Even if AutoRecover files are set to be saved locally on your Mac, Excel constantly monitors the active network connection of the hosted workbook. Over a VPN, the latency between your Mac and the Windows server causes the application to hang while verifying file metadata.
Where are AutoRecover files stored on a Mac?
AutoRecover files in Excel for Mac are typically stored in the hidden Library folder under '~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/'.
Is it safe to disable AutoRecover completely?
It is not recommended to disable AutoRecover unless you have an alternative backup strategy, such as continuous server backups or manual saving habits, because a crash or power loss will result in lost work.
Does changing the AutoRecover time interval help?
Yes, increasing the time interval (e.g., from every 10 minutes to every 30 minutes) reduces how often the lag occurs, offering a better balance between performance and data safety.
