How to Fix Excel 2016 Hanging When Changing Fonts or Cell Formatting
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where Microsoft Excel becomes highly unresponsive and freezes during basic cell formatting tasks.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Editing and applying styles to cells in a spreadsheet.
- Observed behavior
- Excel 2016 hangs and becomes completely unresponsive for over a minute when opening the Format Cells dialog or changing the font.
Ensure you have saved all your open workbooks and closed all Microsoft Office applications before starting the repair process, as the repair tool will need to modify core application files.
Perform an Online Repair for Microsoft Office 2016
Using the built-in Windows Apps and Features tool to perform an Online Repair can fix corrupted Office installation files causing Excel to hang.
Excel relies on essential system files and registry keys to render fonts and UI elements. When these become corrupted, simple tasks like opening the Format Cells dialog can cause the application to hang. The Online Repair tool resolves this by downloading and replacing corrupted files.
Right-click the Windows Start button located at the bottom left of your screen and select 'Apps and Features' from the context menu.
Scroll through the list of installed applications until you find your Microsoft Office 2016 suite, then click to select it.
Click on the 'Modify' button. If prompted by User Account Control asking if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device, click 'Yes'.
Choose the 'Online Repair' option instead of the 'Quick Repair'. Click 'Repair' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Once the repair is finished, restart your computer and open Excel 2016 to verify if changing fonts or cell formatting works without hanging.
Switch to WPS Office for a Lag-Free Spreadsheet Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to hang or freeze during basic formatting tasks, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative designed to run smoothly without consuming excessive system resources.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and follow the installation prompts.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and seamlessly open your existing .xlsx or .xls files.
- 3. Format Cells Smoothly: Highlight your data, right-click, and select 'Format Cells' to adjust fonts and styles without experiencing any lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel freeze only when I open the Format Cells dialog?
This issue is often caused by a corrupted default printer driver or corrupted Office installation files. Excel constantly communicates with the default printer to calculate font sizes and formatting layouts. If the driver is faulty or missing files, the application will hang.
What is the difference between Quick Repair and Online Repair in Microsoft Office?
Quick Repair runs offline and rapidly replaces corrupted files from local cached copies on your computer. Online Repair takes longer and requires an internet connection, but it performs a thorough clean reinstall of the necessary files, making it more effective for persistent freezing issues.
Can having too many custom fonts installed cause Excel 2016 to hang?
Yes, having thousands of custom fonts installed on your Windows system can cause Excel to load slowly or freeze when accessing the font dropdown menu. Removing unused or corrupted fonts from your Windows Font settings can help resolve the lag.
Will running an Online Repair on Office 2016 delete my Excel files?
No, performing an Online Repair only fixes the core application files, registry keys, and software settings. Your personal spreadsheets, documents, macros, and user data will remain completely unaffected.
