Error message in Excel about "...running out of resources...."

The message indicates Excel is hitting a resource/memory limit while recalculating formulas, even if all formulas appear to work. This can be caused by workbook complexity, add-ins, or other system factors.

Use the following steps in order, stopping if the issue is resolved:

1. Check workbook contents and calculation load

• Identify what action triggers the message (insert row/column, sort, copy/paste, open/close workbook, run VBA, or general recalculation). These are typical triggers.
• Reduce calculation complexity where possible (fewer volatile formulas, fewer dependent formulas, simplify large ranges, etc.).
• Review other heavy elements: many shapes, complex PivotTables, macros, or complex charts with many data points. These can all contribute to resource errors.
• For performance tuning guidance, see:
  • “Excel 2010 Performance: Tips for Optimizing Performance Obstructions”
  • “Excel 2010 Performance: Improving Calculation Performance”
  • “Top 10 List of Performance Issues in Excel Workbooks”.

2. Remove Custom Views in Shared Workbooks If the workbook uses the Shared Workbook feature (Review → Share Workbook), delete Custom Views to free resources:
3. Go to the View tab.
4. Select Custom Views.
5. In the dialog, delete the listed views. Deleting Custom Views does not delete data, but it removes print areas and filters (these can be reapplied).
6. Install latest updates Ensure Windows and Office are fully updated, as updates can fix resource and calculation issues:

• Install Windows updates: see “Install Windows updates”.
• Install Office updates: see “Office downloads & updates”.

4. Disable Excel add-ins Add-ins can interfere with calculation and cause resource errors:
5. Open Excel.
6. Follow “View, manage, and install add-ins in Office programs” to view active add-ins.
7. Disable add-ins (COM and Excel add-ins) and restart Excel.
8. Reopen the workbook and test calculation and saving. If the error disappears, contact the add-in vendor for an updated or fixed version.
9. Turn off Preview/Details panes (Windows 7 only) If using Windows 7, disable preview and details panes in:

• Windows Explorer (Organize → Layout → uncheck Details Pane and Preview Pane).
• Excel’s File → Open dialog (Organize → Layout → uncheck Details Pane and Preview Pane).
• Outlook new email attachment dialog (Organize → Layout → uncheck Details Pane and Preview Pane).

6. Test with a different default printer Excel uses the default printer to help render workbooks. A problematic printer driver can cause resource errors:
7. Close Excel.
8. Open Devices and Printers.
9. Right-click “Microsoft XPS Document Writer”.
10. Select “Set as Default”.
11. Reopen Excel and test the workbook.
12. Temporarily disable antivirus scanning of Excel files Antivirus software can repeatedly scan workbooks and cause random resource errors:

• Temporarily disable real-time scanning of Excel files or the antivirus itself (if allowed by policy) and test.
• If the error stops, configure the antivirus to avoid scanning Excel files or consult the AV vendor. (Be aware of security implications when changing AV settings.)

8. Consider 64-bit Excel and system memory If the workbook is large or complex and Excel is 32-bit, it is limited to 2 GB of addressable memory. For heavy workbooks:

• Consider installing the 64-bit version of Excel, which can use all available physical RAM.

9. Close other applications / clean boot Other applications may be consuming memory:

• Close unnecessary programs and retry.
• If the error clears after a reboot or closing apps, follow “How to perform a clean boot in Windows” to identify conflicting software.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, use the “More Information” options to search for additional guidance, ask in Microsoft Community, or contact Microsoft Support.

References:

• How to troubleshoot "available resources" errors in Excel