By default Excel recalculates every formula whenever you change a value. In large workbooks that can make typing slow. Switching calculation to Manual stops the automatic updates until you ask Excel to recalculate. Office 2013 reached end of support on April 11, 2023, so it no longer receives security updates; the same setting works in newer versions of Excel.
Quick Answer
Go to the Formulas tab, click Calculation Options, and choose Manual. Press F9 whenever you want Excel to recalculate.
How to Disable Formula Updates in Excel 2013
- Open the workbook.
- Click the Formulas tab.
- Click Calculation Options in the Calculation group.
- Choose Manual. Formulas now keep their old results until you recalculate.
- Press F9 to recalculate all open workbooks, or Shift+F9 for just the current sheet.
Calculation Modes and Shortcuts
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| Automatic | Recalculates after every change |
| Automatic Except for Data Tables | Skips data tables, which can be slow |
| Manual | Recalculates only when you ask |
| F9 / Shift+F9 | Recalculate all workbooks / the active sheet |
Troubleshooting
- Results look wrong or outdated: that is expected in Manual mode. Press F9, or look for Calculate on the status bar.
- The setting keeps changing back: Excel takes the calculation mode from the first workbook you open in a session, so open your manual workbook first.
- Also check File, Options, Formulas, where Recalculate workbook before saving controls whether results update on save.
- To review formulas without recalculating, see where the formula bar is in Excel 2013.
- To protect formulas from edits, read how to hide formulas in Excel 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Manual mode affect other workbooks?
Yes. Calculation mode applies to all workbooks open in that Excel session.
Will my data be lost in Manual mode?
No. Only the displayed results wait for recalculation; the formulas and data stay intact.
How do I switch back?
Go to Formulas, Calculation Options, and choose Automatic.
Summary
- Open the Formulas tab.
- Click Calculation Options.
- Choose Manual.
- Press F9 to update results when needed.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.