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Chipz22's avatar
Chipz22
Copper Contributor
Jan 07, 2025

Force Closing after Clicking "Show Calculation Steps"

Hello,

I once got an error in my long formula for not typing the * in front of parenthesis. I clicked Show Calculation Steps, and a window displaying calculation steps appeared. It helped me to identify my mistake.

Then, I got same mistake on other occasion. However, from this point onwards, I realize that whenever I click Show Calculation Steps, no calculation step window appears and the Excel window freezes for a couple of seconds, then closes. When I open the closed file again, there's a recovery version. 

 

Do I need to reset my Office installation to fix this issue and got it back to normal? I tried deleting cache in the Option, didn't fix the issue.

  • LorenzoF's avatar
    LorenzoF
    Copper Contributor

    ...whenever I click Show Calculation Steps, no calculation step window appears and the Excel window freezes for a couple of seconds, then closes. When I open the closed file again, there's a recovery version.

    I have this issue also, not sure when it started as I normally don't need it. I have checked and for I don't have any add-ins active, so didn't need to disable. I have done the Microsoft 365 online repair. It finised in about 10 minutes. The issue still persisted after that.

    The formula I have in the cell that has the error is: =I7((I7-G20)/(G12))*G14 (this formula is located in a merge cell K4 and K5)

    I found the error in the formula. The multiplication symbol between the first 'I7' and '(' is missing and when I put it there the error is gone. However, eventhough I managed to find the error in my formula, it should not crash when asking to show calculation steps.

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor

    If Excel crashing when you clicking "Show Calculation Steps"—suggests a possible corruption in Excel’s internal settings or an issue with add-ins.

     

    1. Start Excel in Safe Mode

    Open your file and try Show Calculation Steps again.

    If it works fine, the issue might be caused by an add-in.

     

    1. Disable Add-ins

    Open Excel normally.

    Go to File > Options > Add-ins.

    In the Manage dropdown at the bottom, select COM Add-ins and click Go.

    Uncheck all add-ins and click OK.

    Restart Excel and check if the issue persists.

     

    1. If the issue persists, try repairing Office:

    Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.

    Find Microsoft Office, click it, and select Change.

    Choose Repair and follow the instractrions.

     

    Dont forget to Check for Office Updates in Advance.

     

     

    Hope I could help you with this.

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