How to Stop Autocalculation in Excel
By default, Microsoft Excel automatically calculates formulas and updates the values in cells whenever there is a change in the data. This feature, known as autocalculation, ensures that your formulas are always up-to-date. However, there may be scenarios where you want to stop autocalculation temporarily to save time or avoid unnecessary computations. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to stop autocalculation in Excel.
Manual Calculation Mode
Excel offers a manual calculation mode that allows you to control when formulas are recalculated. When manual calculation is enabled, Excel will not automatically update formulas and values until you trigger the calculation manually. Here's how to switch to manual calculation mode:
Open Excel: Launch Microsoft Excel and open the workbook where you want to stop autocalculation.
Go to "Formulas" Tab: Click on the "Formulas" tab located in the Excel ribbon at the top.
Select "Calculation Options": In the "Calculation" group, you will find the "Calculation Options" button. Click on it to reveal a drop-down menu.
Choose "Manual": From the drop-down menu, select "Manual" to switch to manual calculation mode.
Save Your Workbook: After enabling manual calculation, make sure to save your workbook to apply the changes.
Using Manual Calculation
With manual calculation mode enabled, Excel will not update the formulas and values automatically. You can control when to recalculate the workbook by using one of the following methods:
Recalculate All Formulas: To manually recalculate all formulas in the entire workbook, press the "F9" key on your keyboard.
Recalculate a Specific Worksheet: If you only want to recalculate formulas in a specific worksheet, navigate to that worksheet, and press "Shift + F9."
Recalculate a Specific Range: To recalculate formulas in a specific range of cells, select the range and press "F9."
Switch Back to Automatic Calculation: If you want to return to automatic calculation mode, follow the same steps as before and choose "Automatic" from the "Calculation Options" drop-down menu.
Using "Calculate Now" and "Calculate Sheet" Buttons
Alternatively, you can use the "Calculate Now" and "Calculate Sheet" buttons on the status bar at the bottom-right corner of the Excel window. Clicking "Calculate Now" recalculates all formulas in the entire workbook, while "Calculate Sheet" recalculates the formulas in the current active sheet.
Conclusion
Stopping autocalculation in Excel using manual calculation mode can be useful when you want more control over when formulas are recalculated. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily switch to manual calculation mode and recalculate formulas as needed. This feature is particularly helpful when working with large datasets or complex calculations, as it allows you to save time and avoid unnecessary calculations while focusing on specific parts of your workbook. Remember to switch back to automatic calculation mode when you want Excel to automatically update formulas and values again.
