Microsoft KB Archive/90390

Excel: Recalculation Stops when Excel Loses Focus

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The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0, 5.0

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SUMMARY

Page 168 of the "Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1," version 4.0, states, "After you start calculation in Microsoft Excel, you can switch to another application -- such as a word processor -- while Microsoft Excel completes the calculation."

This is only true if you have the Calculation option set to Automatic. If Microsoft Excel is minimized or if you switch to another application and leave Microsoft Excel running in the background, Microsoft Excel stops calculating your worksheet if the Calculation option is set to Manual.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Excel stops calculating momentarily whenever it is moved into the background or minimized, and when it is moved from the background to the foreground. As soon as it is idle for a moment, Microsoft Excel starts calculating again if necessary and continues until interrupted or complete.

If the Calculation option is set to Manual, Excel only calculates when it is the active application and calculation is activated either by:

• Pressing F9
  

-or-

• Choosing the Calc Now or Calc Document buttons, in the Calculations Options dialog box
  

-or-

• A macro that calls the CALCULATE.DOCUMENT() or CALCULATE.NOW() functions
  

-or-

• Switching calculation back to Automatic

To have Microsoft Excel calculate in the background, set the Calculation option to Automatic or Automatic Except Tables.

Version 3.0, 4.0

1. From the Options menu, choose Calculation.
2. In the Calculation Options dialog box, select either the Automatic or Automatic Except Tables option.
3. Choose the OK button.

Version 5.0

1. From the Tools menu, choose Options.
2. Select the Calculation tab.
3. In the Calculation box, select the Automatic option. Choose OK to accept the change.

Additional query words: 3.0 5.0

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Last Reviewed: March 29, 1999 © 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.