If a cell contains a formula whose result will never change, you can convert the formula into its static value.
This not only speeds up recalculations in large worksheets but also frees up memory, since values use less memory than formulas.
For example, you might have formulas in part of your worksheet that use values from a previous fiscal year.
Since those numbers are unlikely to change, you can safely convert the formulas to their values.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Select the cell containing the formula you want to convert.
- Double-click the cell or press F2 to enter Edit mode.
- Press F9. The formula is replaced with its result.
- Press Enter or click the Enter button. Excel replaces the formula with the calculated value.
You will often need to use the result of a formula in multiple locations.
For example, if a formula is in cell C5, you can display its result in other cells by entering =C5 in each of them.
This is the best method if the formula result might change, since Excel automatically updates the dependent cells.
However, if you are sure the result will not change, you can copy only the value of the formula into the other cells.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Select the cell that contains the formula.
- Copy the cell.
- Select the cell or cells where you want to paste the value.
- On the Home tab, open the Paste dropdown list and select Paste Values.
Excel pastes the value of the original cell into each selected cell.
An alternative method (available since Excel 2003) is to copy the cell, paste it into the destination, click the Paste Options dropdown, and then select Values Only.