5 Ways To Fix "There Isn'T Enough Memory To Complete This Action" In Excel

Running into the "There Isn’t enough memory to complete this action" error in Excel can be quite a headache. 😩 Whether you're working with large datasets, complex formulas, or multiple spreadsheets at once, running out of memory can hinder your productivity and create unnecessary stress. But don’t worry! I’m here to guide you through five effective ways to troubleshoot and fix this annoying issue so you can get back to work without interruption.

Understanding the Memory Issue in Excel

Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand what causes this error. Excel runs on a limited memory allocation, especially for older versions. When you push the application to its limits—by opening many workbooks, using extensive formulas, or having large amounts of data—the system may throw a memory error.

Symptoms of Memory Issues

• Inability to save or open files
• Slow performance
• Excel crashing unexpectedly
• Error prompts stating insufficient memory

Now that we have a clearer picture of the problem, let’s explore effective strategies to resolve the "There isn’t enough memory" error.

1. Close Unused Applications and Workbooks

One of the quickest fixes is to simply reduce the number of applications and workbooks you have open. Each program you run consumes a portion of your system's memory, which could lead to this error in Excel.

• Tip: Close other applications that you're not actively using to free up memory.
• Steps:
  1. Save your work in all open workbooks.
  2. Close any other unnecessary applications.
  3. Review the number of Excel workbooks open and close those that are not needed.

<p class="pro-note">💡 Pro Tip: After closing applications, restart Excel to refresh the memory allocation.</p>

2. Clear the Clipboard

The clipboard can also cause Excel to run out of memory, especially if it contains a large amount of copied data. Clearing the clipboard may help alleviate this issue.

• Steps:
  1. Open Excel and go to the “Home” tab.
  2. Click on the small arrow in the Clipboard section to open the Clipboard panel.
  3. Click “Clear All” to remove all items from the clipboard.

<p class="pro-note">🔍 Pro Tip: Regularly clearing the clipboard is a good habit, especially when working with large datasets!</p>

3. Disable Add-ins

Sometimes, add-ins can consume a significant amount of memory, leading to performance issues in Excel. Disabling unnecessary add-ins can be a great way to resolve memory errors.

• Steps:
  1. Open Excel and navigate to “File”.
  2. Click on “Options”, then select “Add-ins”.
  3. At the bottom, in the “Manage” dropdown, select “COM Add-ins” and click “Go”.
  4. Uncheck the add-ins you don’t need and click “OK”.

<table> <tr> <th>Add-in Type</th> <th>Description</th> </tr> <tr> <td>COM Add-ins</td> <td>Third-party tools that extend Excel’s functionality.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Excel Add-ins</td> <td>Built-in functionalities that you may not frequently use.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Macros</td> <td>Custom automation scripts that might be memory-intensive.</td> </tr> </table>

<p class="pro-note">🚫 Pro Tip: Only disable add-ins that you are sure you won’t need for your current projects to avoid loss of functionality.</p>

4. Optimize Your Excel Files

Excel files containing a lot of data, formulas, and formatting can also consume excessive memory. Optimizing these files is key to improving performance.

• Steps:
  1. Remove any unnecessary formatting (like excessive colors or borders).
  2. Delete any empty rows or columns that aren't needed.
  3. Check for large formulas and see if they can be simplified.
  4. Save your file as a binary (.xlsb) format which is more memory efficient.

<p class="pro-note">📉 Pro Tip: Regularly cleaning up your Excel files can prevent future memory errors.</p>

5. Increase Virtual Memory

If you consistently find yourself hitting memory limits, you may need to increase your system's virtual memory. This can give Excel more breathing room to operate.

• Steps for Windows:
  1. Right-click on “This PC” or “My Computer” and select “Properties”.
  2. Click on “Advanced system settings”.
  3. Under the “Performance” section, click “Settings”.
  4. Go to the “Advanced” tab and under Virtual Memory, click “Change”.
  5. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”.
  6. Set a larger custom size (1.5 to 3 times the size of your RAM is usually recommended).

<p class="pro-note">⚙️ Pro Tip: Always set a minimum and maximum size to avoid performance issues.</p>

FAQs

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What causes the "There isn't enough memory" error in Excel?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>This error typically arises from running too many applications simultaneously, opening multiple workbooks, or having large datasets in your Excel files.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I recover data if Excel crashes due to this error?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Excel usually has an auto-recovery feature. After a crash, reopen Excel, and you might see a recovery file. Make sure to check your “Document Recovery” pane.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Is there a way to prevent this error from occurring?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>To prevent this error, manage the size of your Excel files, limit the number of open applications, and regularly clean up and optimize your workbooks.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Recapping the critical steps we discussed: close unused applications, clear the clipboard, disable unnecessary add-ins, optimize your Excel files, and consider increasing your virtual memory settings. Each of these strategies can significantly alleviate memory issues, allowing you to use Excel seamlessly.

Don't let memory errors hold you back! Get in there and apply these techniques to enhance your Excel experience. If you’re eager to learn more about Excel, consider exploring other tutorials on this blog to deepen your skills.

<p class="pro-note">✨ Pro Tip: Consistently optimizing your workflows in Excel not only prevents errors but also boosts your overall productivity!</p>