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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

179 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-11-08T23:12:39+00:00

    Thanks sergheivoitenco for the confirmation that it works.

    To clarify a bit on the installation procedure that was necessary if you were using the Beta version, it's because the Beta version has a higher number than the Current Channel Preview version, and the installation program will not install a lower version if a higher version is already on your computer.

    In this case, the Beta version would have already been 16.56 (2111....), and the Current Channel Preview is 16.55. In order to get 16.55 installed, you have to first remove 16.56. Since 16.55 is not available for direct download yet, you would need to install 16.54 from the link provided in the earlier comment, and then the updater would give you 16.55 if you opt for the Current Channel Preview.

    I know the "channels" can be confusing, so hopefully this explanation helps:

    For non-Insiders, there's a monthly update that we call the "Current Channel". Insiders who choose the Current Channel Preview will receive that monthly update about 2 weeks before everyone else. For example, the November update will happen around Nov. 16th for everyone, except that Insiders can get the Preview more than a week prior to that.

    Insiders who choose the Beta channel will be getting an early release of the December update, about 6-7 weeks prior to when it gets released to everyone else. There will be 2-3 updates sent out each week.

    Read here for a more detailed description of the channels - Explore update channels | Office Insider for Business

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments