Why do I keep getting "not enough memory to run Excel" messages?

Anonymous
2013-05-11T18:45:24+00:00

I have a new very powerful computer. Intel Core i7 with an 8mb L3 cache, a 256gb SSD OS drive of which there is 205gb free, two 1TB mechanical hard drives set up in RAID 1, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670MX graphics card, and 16gb of 1666mhz ram. It was purchased as a mobile workstation for Pete's sake! With NO other programs open, if I open my email, (Outlook 2013 btw), start a new email, and try to attach a tiny Excel file, (I'm talkin 40kb tiny!) I get an error message that there isn't enough memory to run Excel! I'm not even trying to run Excel! Just attach a small Excel file to an email! What gives? When I look at my resource monitor, there's usually at least 11 or 12 gigs of memory still free. This computer should be able to do literally ANYTHING I want, and multiple programs at once! After the error pops up, I can close it, and then attach the Excel file. Then everything goes ok. Then, sometimes after I've already completely CLOSED Outlook, and I start doing something else entirely, the "not enough memory to run Microsoft Excel. Please close other applications and try again" message pops up on my screen! This is ludicrous! I'm having issues with other Office 2013 apps as well, but this one? Give me a break!

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-12-23T08:48:19+00:00

    My laptop runs on Win 10 and Office 365. Also I was getting same error message. 

    I solved this error as doing following:

    1. Reach Run windows with combination "Windows+R"
    2. Enter in the run box "outlook.exe /safe"  without quote.
    3. If you have problem with your Outlook, you will see a message box having your default outlook profile (Mine was Outlook). You may keep your existing profile or change it, depending on you. If you decided you change the profile, you must set up your account at beginning.
    4. Hit "return"

    That's all done...

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-30T20:38:30+00:00

    This appears to be related to a security issue within Windows. I have found a work-around by saving the Excel file (if it is attached to an email), then navigating to the saved file.  Right-click on the saved Excel file, go to Properties. The dialogue box should open the General tab, and you will see Security at the bottom. Check the box next to 'Unblock', and then you can open the Excel file. 

    If anyone has found a way to solve this error message without having first to save Excel email attachments, please let me know. Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-03-17T23:52:26+00:00

    Works perfectly. Thanks!

    Here is the solution. Shame Microsoft did not figure it out.

    http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1738020

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-15T13:32:34+00:00

    Thank you!!!!! Method 4 seems to have fixed my problem also. This was driving me bonkers!!! It wasn't happening on my laptop but only my desktop and I couldn't figure it out. I run Office 365 on my desktop but 2013 on my laptop. I can now sleep at night lol.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T11:58:27+00:00

    Hello Stephen,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for posting your query.

    Let me assist you with Excel issue.

    What was the size of the Excel file?

    Step: 1

    You may start the computer in clean boot mode, this would disable all the non-Microsoft applications and the antivirus which could be one of the reason for the issue.

    Refer the article below to start the computer in clean boot:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Note: Ensure to restart the computer in normal mode after completing the troubleshooting steps

    Step: 2

    Check if Excel is running in compatibility mode.

    You may browse to the location below and check if Excel is running in compatibility mode.

     C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\ClentX86\Root\Office15. (Windows 32 bit)

    C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office 15\ ClientX64\Root\Office15. (Windows 64 bit)

    Right click on Excel.exe and then click on Properties.

    In the Properties window click on Compatibility tab.

    Uncheck ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ and then click on Apply and OK.

    Now try to send the Excel file as attachment and check if it works as expected.

    I hope the above information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance.

    Thank you.

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