Excel (There isn't enough memory to complete this action)

Hi, 

Everytime multiple Excel spreadsheets are open we keep getting the error message saying:

There isn't enough memory to complete this action. 

Try using less data or closing other applications.

To increase memory availability, consider:

- Using a 64-bit version of Microsoft Excel.

- Adding memory to your device

I have tried to increase the memory to 8GB and re-installed to 64-bit version but the application keeps doing the same thing. It freezes occasionally, blank screen appears. 

What can i do to resolve this?

December 30th, 2014 3:35pm

Try switching off the following this helps our users when we see this issue, esp when using many sheets at once. 

For Office 2013 - Advanced > General > Tick the option - Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)


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December 30th, 2014 3:48pm

Thanks for the suggestion, I tried that before. 

I have tried so many different types of solutions that i cant even remember which ones i have done.

December 30th, 2014 5:14pm

Hello Dan Maia,

Sometimes an error message is accurate to the point.
1. Is this occurring on multiple computers or just one? (You wrote 'We' ...")
2. What is the total RAM and operating system on this computer / these computers?
3. After a fresh boot, do you still get this message when using Excel spreadsheets ONLY?
4. Did this just happen now with spreadsheets successfully used over a period of time?

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December 30th, 2014 6:23pm

how about a blank file? In my view, most of the error due to the formula recalcultion. set it as munal is a good choose.

btw, increase Virtual Memory size also could choose.

http://www.techulator.com/resources/2430-Increase-your-Virtual-Memory-size.aspx

KR

December 31st, 2014 5:07am

Hi George: 

1. Is this occurring on multiple computers or just one? (You wrote 'We' ...") - Just one machine
2. What is the total RAM and operating system on this computer / these computers? - 8GB Ram using Windows 7
3. After a fresh boot, do you still get this message when using Excel spreadsheets ONLY? - Yes after a fresh boot only happens with Excel
4. Did this just happen now with spreadsheets successfully used over a period of time? - Yes thats correct

Hi Robbery:

You may be right about the formula calculation but these are spreadsheets that have been modified over time so we cant start from fresh. I tried to increase the virtual memory but still no joy. 

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December 31st, 2014 8:52am

Hi again,

1. Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc). Select tab Performance. Check Physical memory, first without Excel running, then with Excel and no error, then with Excel and error.
2. Select Processes tab and sort on Memory. Is Excel at top? How much? An empty Excel takes about 36 MBytes RAM on my machine.

3. Can you successfully run this spreadsheet on another machine? If so, I'd do an offline virus scan on the problematic machine. I have instructions if you need it.

December 31st, 2014 9:11am

Do you mean TICK or UNTICK to try and switch off? The default is a blank TICK block.
If I TICK the option I cannot open any XLSX file by double clicking on the file.I can only open the files by using the File>Open function from within Excel.

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January 4th, 2015 8:57am

I'm having this same problem and it just started happening.

I tried <g class="gr_ gr_8 gr-alert gr_gramm Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="8" id="8">rebooting</g> but the issue persists even when trying to create a new spreadsheet.

I'm running Windows 8.1 64-bit and 64-bit Excel with 16GB in my machine.

And now I just went to check the version/build of Excel and the problem has gone away.. WTF?

Rich

January 11th, 2015 2:53am

I only have 8GB.  But good to know more memory won't fix it.  Seems like mine started around end of jan 2015.  Trying repair.

Never used to happen.  Opened tons of sheets at one time.

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February 19th, 2015 3:21pm

Same problem with 32-bit version.  Anyone found a solution yet?
April 7th, 2015 4:27pm

I have a desktop computer i7 with 8GB of RAM 64-Bit that has given this problem ever since I have used Excel 2013. I also have a notebook i5 at home with 6GB Ram 64-Bit that also exhibits the same problem. I am opening a NEW instance of Excel and it won't open a small timesheet spreadsheet!

I also have LOTS of problems with Excel hanging ever since I upgraded (about 2 years ago!). 2013 is definitely a bad year for Excel - I can't believe that Microsoft is not aware of this problem!

"Pissed off with Excel"

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May 3rd, 2015 3:41am

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