Excel not propagating values changed while file closed, not updating calculations, formulae

Have you ever encountered a situation where you made changes to an Excel file, closed it, and when you reopened it, the values were not updated? Or maybe you noticed that the calculations and formulae in your Excel file were not being updated automatically? This can be a frustrating experience, but don't worry, we're here to help you troubleshoot this issue.

Why is Excel not propagating values changed while file closed?

When you make changes to an Excel file and then close it, Excel usually saves those changes and updates the values accordingly. However, there are a few reasons why this may not happen:

1. Automatic Calculation is turned off: By default, Excel is set to automatically recalculate formulas and update values. However, if the Automatic Calculation option is turned off, Excel will not update the values when the file is closed. To check if this is the case, go to the Formulas tab in the Excel ribbon and click on the Calculation Options button. Ensure that Automatic is selected.
2. Manual Calculation is enabled: Sometimes, users choose to manually calculate formulas in their Excel files. If you have enabled manual calculation, Excel will not update the values automatically when the file is closed. To change this setting, go to the Formulas tab in the Excel ribbon and click on the Calculation Options button. Select Automatic instead of Manual.
3. Recalculation is disabled for specific cells: Excel allows you to disable recalculation for specific cells using the Manual calculation mode. If you have disabled recalculation for certain cells, the values in those cells will not be updated when the file is closed. To check if recalculation is disabled for any cells, select the cell(s) in question and go to the Formulas tab in the Excel ribbon. Click on the Calculation Options button and make sure Automatic is selected.

Why are calculations and formulae not updating automatically?

Excel is designed to automatically update calculations and formulae whenever the input values change. However, there are a few reasons why this may not happen:

1. Calculation is set to Manual: Similar to the previous issue, if the calculation mode is set to Manual, Excel will not update the calculations and formulae automatically. To change this setting, go to the Formulas tab in the Excel ribbon and click on the Calculation Options button. Select Automatic instead of Manual.
2. Dependencies are not set correctly: Excel relies on correct dependencies to update calculations and formulae. If the dependencies are not set correctly, Excel may not be able to determine the order in which calculations should be performed. This can result in formulas not updating automatically. To resolve this issue, you can try using the Formulas tab in the Excel ribbon and click on the Calculate Now button to force a recalculation.
3. Recalculation is disabled for a worksheet: Excel allows you to disable recalculation for specific worksheets. If recalculation is disabled for a particular worksheet, the calculations and formulae in that worksheet will not update automatically. To check if recalculation is disabled for a worksheet, right-click on the worksheet tab at the bottom of the Excel window and select Calculate Sheet. Ensure that Automatic is selected.

Excel not propagating values changed while the file is closed or not updating calculations and formulae can be frustrating, but most of the time, it can be resolved by checking the calculation options and ensuring that automatic calculation is enabled. Additionally, verifying the dependencies and recalculation settings for cells and worksheets can also help resolve the issue.

If you are still experiencing problems with Excel not propagating values or updating calculations, it may be helpful to consult Microsoft's official documentation or seek assistance from a technical support professional.

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