How to Clear MS Excel Cache: 1-Min Guide

How to Clear MS Excel Cache

Updated on:

May 12, 2026

By:

Use this interactive demo to learn how to clear cached files in Microsoft Excel step by step.

Quick summary

Clearing the Microsoft Excel cache removes temporary files that can slow performance or cause errors. You can manage cache settings directly from Excel's Options menu without any third-party tools.

Steps

Open Excel and navigate to File in the top menu.
Select Options from the bottom of the File menu sidebar.
Select Save from the sidebar in the Excel Options dialog.
Scroll to Cache Settings, click Delete Cache Files, optionally enable Delete files when closed, and adjust the cache duration as needed.

📌 Why this matters

Clearing the Microsoft Excel cache is a key troubleshooting step that resolves slow performance, file sync errors, and corrupted temporary data. Excel stores cached files automatically over time, and without regular maintenance these files can interfere with file saving, sharing, and cloud sync through OneDrive. This built-in cache management feature — accessible directly from Excel Options — gives users full control without needing IT support or third-party software. Knowing how to delete Excel cache files helps both individual users and teams maintain a stable, high-performing spreadsheet environment.

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