macOS Monterey - "insufficient memory" error in Excel when sorting

Anonymous
2021-10-28T19:00:20+00:00

On updating the macOS on my Macs (both of them) from Big Sur to the latest Monterey (12.0.1) I've discovered that both macro and manual sorts no longer work on my larger Excel data files. I'm getting the error message...

"There isn't enough memory to complete this action. Try using less data or closing other applications."

...on files that sorted just fine with the Big Sur and prior macOS's. Tried everything and confirmed that there really is enough memory! (Also verified I've got the latest Office/Excel version)

FYI - my data files are ~20mb, M columns by ~40,000 rows. Anecdotally it appears to "run out of memory" if I try sorting more than ~5,000 rows at a time.

Anyone else seen this issue with Monterey and/or have a solution? Talked with the Apple folks and they insist it's a "third party App issue" hence talk to Microsoft...

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | MacOS

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Anonymous
2021-11-05T12:43:57+00:00

Just repeating my previous comment, since it seems like it's being missed by people who are finding this thread for the first time.

(Originally posted on 4-Nov):

Hi All - Here's an update on this issue from the Excel team. We have a fix which we are planning to release as follows:

  1. Insiders Beta Channel: The release is planned for Monday, 8-November. The version and build number will be 16.56 (21110400) or greater.
  2. Insiders Current Channel (Preview): The release is planned for Monday, 8-November. The version and build number will be 16.55 (21110400) or greater.
  3. Monthly update (for everyone else): The release is planned for Tuesday, 16-November. The version and build number will be 16.55 (21111000) or greater.

This is our current plan. If anything changes, I will update this thread to let everyone know about it.

To get the fix as soon as possible, you can join the Office Insiders Program. Once you install the update that solves the issue, you can opt out of the Insiders Program so that you return to the normal monthly updates going forward. If you choose the Current Channel (Preview), install the update, and then opt out of the Insiders updates, you should receive the normal Monthly update on 16-November.

Please review this article for instructions about joining the Insider Program and descriptions of the channels that you can choose: Join the Office Insider Program

Thanks again to all of you for providing detailed information about the issue, which was very helpful toward finding a solution.

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Anonymous
2021-11-16T17:22:32+00:00

The update should be available as of roughly 9am Pacific Standard time today. If you don't see it when you Check for Updates, you will be able to download it from the following article. The update should be posted there soon.

Update history for Office for Mac - Office release notes | Microsoft Docs

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Anonymous
2021-11-17T17:34:56+00:00

JacquesDrolet IDRG GbR I have shared your comments with the engineering team and managers who worked to resolve this issue and will work to protect against it from happening again. Thanks to all who provided such great feedback and information to help us find and fix the issue. We wish it had not happened, but we appreciate your engagement with this community and your patience while we worked to publish the update.

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Anonymous
2021-11-17T15:37:58+00:00

@PeteAbrahams1 - the easiest way is to go to the Help menu in Excel and choose > Check for Updates. It should offer you the update and install it for you.

The other option is to go to this page, click on the link for the install package to download it, and then run the installer.

Update history for Office for Mac - Office release notes | Microsoft Docs

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-11-04T23:40:01+00:00

    Just received this email from Microsoft

    Thank you for sending Microsoft feedback. Your input is valuable to us and helps improve our products.

    We have a fix for the "Not enough memory" error which we are planning to release as follows:

    Insiders Beta Channel: The release is planned for Monday, 8-November. The version and build number will be 16.56 (21110400) or greater.

    Insiders Current Channel (Preview): The release is planned for Monday, 8-November. The version and build number will be 16.55 (21110400) or greater.

    Monthly update (for everyone else): The release is planned for Tuesday, 16-November. The version and build number will be 16.55 (21111000) or greater.

    To get the fix as soon as possible, you can join the Office Insiders Program. Once you install the update that solves the issue, you can opt out of the Insiders Program so that you return to the normal monthly updates going forward. If you choose the Current Channel (Preview), install the update, and then opt out of the Insiders updates, you should receive the normal Monthly update on 16-November.

    Please review this article for instructions about joining the Insider Program and descriptions of the channels that you can choose: Join the Office Insider Program

    For your reference, you submitted the following feedback on November 2, 2021:

    After upgrading to MacOS Monterey many larger Excel spreadsheets no longer work and I get an error message “There isn’t enough memory to complete this action. Try using less data or closing other applications.” macOS Monterey 12.0.1 Excel 16.54 (21101001) My data has 81 columns, and 34191 rows. Columns B and C have formulas, the rest of the data is straight text. If I try to sort, or insert column, or even delete columns I get the error message Excel was only program running and there are no add ons or macros running. If I run same file on my work computer the data is fine and allows sorting and/or inserting of columns. I have a 500 gig hard drive on my mac and have 100 gig free. Tested on a few other files and found larger sized files had the error, as well as spreadsheets with lots of rows of data (30000 lines)

    If you have any questions, please reply back to this email.

    Thank you,

    The Microsoft Team

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