Microsoft Excel for Windows has launched a new “Check Performance” feature aimed at boosting the responsiveness of Excel files laden with heavy data, complex formatting, and numerous formulas. Initially introduced in the web version of Excel in 2022, this feature helps clean up unnecessary formatting in empty cells that might be slowing down the application.
According to a recent blog post by Microsoft, over time, large Excel worksheets can accumulate excess formatting and metadata that diminish performance. This typically occurs when data is removed, but the associated formatting persists. The new feature enables Excel to proactively detect and suggest solutions for these performance issues. Users can also manually activate the “Check Performance” command to identify and rectify these issues whenever necessary.
Located in the Review tab, the “Check Performance” button may also trigger automatically via a notification popup if Excel identifies cells with redundant formatting. This action opens the Workbook Performance pane, offering details on the deletable data and providing options for users to review and optimize changes sheet by sheet or through the “Optimize all” button for a comprehensive cleanup.
Microsoft has highlighted that while this feature can lead to visual alterations in worksheets—such as the removal of fill colors from empty cells—it does not modify any textual or numerical data. The optimization is designed to require user intervention, ensuring that changes are not made without approval.
Currently, the feature is available to users in the Beta Channel or Current Channel Preview, starting with Excel version 2312 (Build 17126.20004). It is expected to be rolled out to all Excel for Windows users in the near future. However, there’s no information yet on when the Check Performance feature will be available for Excel on Mac or mobile apps for Android, iPhone, and iPad. For now, users needing to optimize their spreadsheets will need to use the web or Windows versions of Excel.
Source: Microsoft 365 Insider Blog
