Excel Performance Problems

Troubleshoot Excel Upload and Workbook Cache Issues

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing issues with Excel file uploads and needs to troubleshoot workbook cache problems to restore normal syncing and saving functions.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to upload an Excel file or open a shared workbook that fails due to corrupted cache data.
Observed behavior: Excel fails to upload or sync workbooks properly, requiring the user to clear the recent files list and reset the OfficeFileCache folder.

Before you start

Ensure all Microsoft Office applications are completely closed before attempting to modify or delete cache folders, as running background processes can prevent these files from being renamed.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Excel Cache and Rename OfficeFileCache Folder

This procedure removes problematic temporary files from Excel and forces the system to generate a fresh, uncorrupted cache directory for your workbooks.

Corrupted cache files can frequently cause upload errors, especially when dealing with shared workbooks or cloud-synced files. Clearing the internal cache settings and renaming the system folder resolves most conflicts without deleting your actual spreadsheet data.

Clear cache in Excel options

Open Microsoft Excel, click on 'File', and select 'Options'. Navigate to the 'Save' tab, scroll down to the 'Cache Settings' section, and click the 'Delete cached files' button.

Remove workbook from recent list

Go to the 'Open' or 'Recent' files menu in Excel. Right-click the affected shared workbook and select the option to remove it from the list.

Locate the OfficeFileCache folder

Close Excel completely. Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\<YourProfileName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0.

Rename the cache folder

Locate the folder named 'OfficeFileCache'. Right-click on it, select 'Rename', and change the name to 'OfficeFileCache.old'.

Restart and test

Restart your computer to ensure all background services are refreshed. Open Excel and attempt to upload or open the workbook again.

Locating AppData: Replace <YourProfileName> with your actual Windows username. If you cannot see the AppData folder, click the 'View' tab in File Explorer and check the box for 'Hidden items'.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Seamless Spreadsheet Management with WPS Office

If you frequently encounter caching issues or upload errors in Microsoft Excel, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for managing your spreadsheets with built-in, reliable cloud sync.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button to get the lightweight installer.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and seamlessly open your existing .xlsx workbooks without worrying about complex cache errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel file formats like .xlsx, .xls, and .csv.Lightweight installation that avoids heavy cache bloat and consumes fewer system resources.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.Reliable built-in cloud syncing capabilities for smooth file uploads and collaboration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Excel upload keep failing?

Upload failures often occur due to corrupted cache files, network interruptions, or file sync conflicts within Microsoft Office. Clearing the temporary cache usually resolves these sync conflicts quickly.

Will deleting or renaming the OfficeFileCache folder delete my Excel files?

No, renaming or deleting the OfficeFileCache folder only removes temporary cached data used by Microsoft Office for syncing. Your actual saved workbooks and data remain completely unaffected and safe.

How do I know if the upload issue affects only one workbook?

You can test this by creating and uploading a new, blank workbook. If the new file uploads successfully, the issue is isolated to the original workbook. If both fail, it indicates a systemic application or cache error.

What should I do if I cannot find the Office 16.0 folder?

The folder version number varies based on your installed version of Microsoft Office (for example, 15.0 for Office 2013). Look for the highest numbered folder under the Local\Microsoft\Office directory.

Excel & Data Problems