KB0041: When an Excel file contains many DataLinks, it might start to scroll very slowly, taking very long to update and feeling very unresponsive

Problem

When an Excel file contains many DataLinks it might start to scroll very slowly, taking very long to update and feeling very unresponsive. When opening the Task Manager, you can possibly observe that Excel takes up most of the CPU time.

Cause

Excel includes a mechanism that notifies the user of possible error causes in a worksheet. The problems Excel identifies include e.g. "Number stored as text", "Unlocked cells containing formulas", and "Evaluates to error value". The automatic error checking mechanism causes Excel to update all DataLinks whenever a single cell is marked as containing an error.

Solution

Disable the automatic error checking mechanism. Go to Tools → Options → Error Checking and uncheck the checkbox labeled as Enable background error checking. In Excel 2007 click the Microsoft Office button, choose Excel Options. Click Formulas and uncheck Enable background error checking