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VBA · Performance
Application.Calculation
Switches to manual calculation during a macro so formulas do not recalculate after every write.
When to use it
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual stops formulas recalculating after every cell write during a macro. Restore to automatic at the end, or the workbook stays manual for the user.
The code
- Code
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual ... Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic
Worked examples
Manual during writes
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual ... write many cells ... Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic → One recalculation instead of thousands
Big models.
Recalculate on demand
Application.Calculate → Forces a recalculation while in manual mode
When you need results mid-macro.
Restore the previous mode
Dim prev As XlCalculation prev = Application.Calculation Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual ... Application.Calculation = prev → Restores whatever the user had
Polite.
Worth knowing
- Calculation mode is application-wide and saved with the first workbook opened.
- Worksheet.Calculate recalculates one sheet.
- Reading a formula cell in manual mode returns a stale value until Calculate.
Where it goes wrong
- Leaving it manual makes every workbook look broken to the user.
- Reading results before Calculate gives old numbers.
Related
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