Is there a way to stop the check performance pop-up?

Job well done, Alan! As Leigh Ann said, it's validating to have this information, and certainly reflects what I've read about the issue.

Are you paying attention, Microsoft?!

That is one fantastic use of Chat GPT, Alan... Thank you!! I feel so validated and I'm sure others on this thread will too. I am terrified that someone who doesn't know what they are doing will try to "FIX" one of my spreadsheets and completely ruin it. Clearly Microsoft doesn't care about that, which makes me wonder - how does it benefit them to have our spreadsheets rendered useless? How is that supposed to make us feel more positively about Excel / Microsoft and want to buy more of their products? I just don't get their end game here.... Is it just flat out laziness, or stubbornness just to spite their users, or - ???. Such baffling behavior...

I think you might have hit the nail on the head here Leigh Ann. Out of interest I just tried the following Chat GPT prompt...

"conduct a review of all online content you can find relating to Microsoft Excel's "Check Performance" feature. give a summary of the opinions expressed by users and estimate the proportion which are positive versus negative"

Response...

Here’s a refined overview of sentiment around Excel’s “Check Performance” feature based on what users are saying online:

👍 Positive Views (~15–20%)

• Useful for very large files: Independent tech reviewers note that it effectively clears “low-hanging fruit”—unnecessary formatting and metadata—from bloated workbooks, sometimes reducing file size dramatically reddit.com+15office-watch.com+15techcommunity.microsoft.com+15.
• Useful in targeted scenarios: The feature can be beneficial when used deliberately—i.e., for truly sluggish, oversized files.

👎 Negative Views (~80–85%)

• Forced prompts are intrusive: Many feel the pop-ups interrupt workflow and become a nuisance when repeatedly appearing upon opening files .
• Lack of a disable switch: A major frustration is the inability to turn off the feature. Users repeatedly request an “opt-out,” but no permanent solution is available yet .
• Unwanted formatting removal: Users report that formatting they added intentionally gets stripped—sometimes breaking important visual cues or VBA-driven layouts reddit.com+7techcommunity.microsoft.com+7answers.microsoft.com+7.

“This feature may be well‑meaning…but it is…taking us backward” techcommunity.microsoft.com+2techcommunity.microsoft.com+2techcommunity.microsoft.com+2

• Performance degradation when triggered: In some cases, “Check Performance” itself causes freezes or hangs and requires forced exits reddit.com+14answers.microsoft.com+14techcommunity.microsoft.com+14.
• Annoyance for novices and pros alike: Users across skill levels—both experienced users and casual ones—find the automatic check confusing or distracting techcommunity.microsoft.com+1techcommunity.microsoft.com+1.

🔧 Neutral or Mixed Opinions

• Acknowledgment of potential: Some see the value in the concept but criticize premature rollout and lack of user controls .
• Feature still evolving: Microsoft’s own team acknowledged the request for a disable option and mentioned the difficulty in implementing it—yet no fix has shipped as of early 2025 answers.microsoft.com+5techcommunity.microsoft.com+5techcommunity.microsoft.com+5.

📊 Sentiment Breakdown

• Negative: ~80–85%
  Common complaints include no opt-out, forced interruptions, unintended formatting changes, and instability.
• Positive: ~15–20%
  Mostly among reviewers and users managing truly large, unwieldy workbooks.
• Neutral/Mixed: ~5–10%
  Users acknowledge utility but request more nuance and control.

🔍 Final Take

Overall, while the underlying idea of detecting and cleaning up hidden inefficiencies is sound, the execution and rollout have frustrated many. The recurring theme: “It should be optional.” Until a proper toggle option is introduced, most users are leaning negative, with frustration centering on control and interference.

If you're working with huge, sluggish Excel files, give it a try—but proceed with caution and back up your file first. Otherwise, be ready to manage—or simply close—the intrusive prompts.

It's still popping up on my spreadsheets, even today 7/1/25.