[Solved]: Excel Formulas Not Updating Until Save (6 Possible Solutions)

Excel Formulas Not Updating Until Saving: Possible Reasons

The calculation mode is Manual.
The cells are formatted as Text.
Space before the Equal (=) sign.
The Show Formula button is on.
Presence of an Apostrophe (‘) before a formula.
The formula uses a circular reference.

When these occur, Excel does not update the formulas automatically. For example, the image below shows a SUM formula.

When you change the Marks, the Total will not change. That’s the problem.

Excel Formulas Not Updating Until Saving: 6 Handy Solutions

We have some students along with their marks in Physics and Math. We will calculate the total marks.

Fix 1 – Set Calculation Options to Automatic

Sometimes, the formulas do not get updated if the calculation mode is Manual.

Steps:

Go to the Formulas tab, select Calculation Options, and select Automatic.

Excel will update the formulas every time you make a change.

Fix 2 – Change the Cell Format from Text

Excel formulas do not work or get updated if the cells are formatted as Text. In the image below, Cell E5 was in Text Format. That’s why the formula was not updated.

Steps:

Select Cell E5.
Go to the Home Tab, select the drop-down list, and select General.

Excel will update the formulas.

Use the Fill Handle to AutoFill up to E11.

Fix 3 – Remove the Extra Space Before the Equal Sign

Sometimes Excel may not calculate any formula rather than simply demonstrating it in a cell. This might occur because there is a hidden space before the equal (=) sign.