REFRESH RECOMMENDED Excel error message [Fix]

The Refresh Recommended error message in Excel often appears when working with files linked to external data sources or cloud services. We get an option to Save a Copy or Discard Changes but when we click on either of them, sometimes, we get a pop-up that says Uploading and it never stops. In this post, we will discuss this issue and see what you can do if you encounter a REFRESH RECOMMENDED Excel error.

REFRESH RECOMMENDED

Uploading

Excel is uploading your most recent changes. If you’d rather not wait you can click Cancel to close the file and we’ll upload next time you open it.

What does Refresh Recommend mean in Excel?

The Refresh Recommend is usually a sign that the data in the workbook might be outdated. Excel suggests refreshing the data so that the most up-to-date version can be retrieved. This typically happens when the workbook is connected to external data sources such as databases, web services, or cloud platforms like SharePoint or OneDrive.

Fix Refresh recommended Excel error message

If you are facing the Refresh Recommended error message in Excel, execute the solution mentioned below.

1. Clear the Office File Cache folder
2. Change Excel’s cache settings
3. Rename the affected files
4. Repair MS Office
5. Sync Excel copy throughout the network
6. Create a new copy of the file

Let’s get started with the troubleshooting guide.

1] Clear the Office File Cache folder

The Refresh Recommended error can pop up when Excel faces difficulty syncing or retrieving. This usually happens when the temporary copies of the file stored as the cache, linked to cloud services, or external data become corrupted or hold outdated data. In such situations, clearing the cache removes any potentially corrupted or outdated data and forces Excel to establish a fresh connection. To do the same, follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Click Win + E to open the File Explorer, and navigate to the following location.

   %userprofile%\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache\0\0

2. Open all the folders and click Ctrl + A to select all the files.
3. Hit the Delete button to clear the Office File Caches.

Alternatively, users can also navigate to Excel, click on the  File tab, select the Save option, and then scroll down to the Cache Settings section. Now, click on the Delete Cached Files option, and again select the Delete Cached Files button when prompted. Once done, relaunch Excel, and check whether the Refresh Recommended message is still appearing on the screen.

2] Change the Excel’s cache settings

In this solution, we will tweak Excel’s Cache setting to remove the local copy of the file as soon as we close it. This ensures that Excel will retrieve the latest data whenever we open the file.

Here’s how to do the same.

1. Launch Excel, go to the Files tab, and click Options.
2. Click on the Save tab, and navigate to the cache settings section.
3. Now, check the Delete Files from the Office Document Cache when they are closed box.
4. Lastly, click the OK button to save the changes, and then restart the PC.

Check if the issue is resolved.

3] Rename the affected files

Excel can sometimes continue to associate the file with previous versions, cached data, or problematic sync settings. If this is the case, rename the affected files, as this forces the system to treat the file as a new entity. This can be done through the File Explorer as well as directly in the Excel. Once renamed, ensure the error is resolved, if not see the next solution.

4] Repair MS Office

Over time, Office files or components can become corrupted, or problems can arise with the Office Installation itself. We recommend repairing Microsoft Office, as this procedure detects and fixes missing components and corrupted files.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Search for “Microsoft 365” or “Office”, click on the three dots, and click on Modify.
4. Click on Quick Repair.

After the process is completed, verify whether the issue is resolved. If not, repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 and click the Online Repair button instead of Quick Repair. Hopefully, this will do the job for you.

Read: How to add Error Messages in Excel?

5] Sync Excel copy throughout the network

Refresh Recommended error can also pop up on the screen if the file is not synced throughout the network. This is especially important when multiple users collaborate on the same Excel file stored on a network drive.

1. Click the Save a copy option to save a copy of the document on the device, and then contact the Active Platform admin to navigate to the following location.
2. Scroll down to find Allow Excel binder checkout, check it, and click the Save button.
3. Once done, re-login to the Active Platform account, launch the relevant binder, navigate to the Open Excel Binder menu, and Select the Checkout option. Do not open the file’s version.
4. Immediately after checking the file, click the Check In option and upload the copy we saved earlier.

Once verified, delete the local copy of the file and continue doing the work.

Read: Too many different cell formats Excel error

6] Create a new copy of the file

Lastly, creating a new copy of the file might resolve our issue. Excel files with multiple user access can accumulate issues such as broken links, problematic formatting, or residual metadata that may not be easily detected. So, open the Excel file, highlight the relevant data, right-click, and select Copy. Click Ctrl+N to open a new blank workbook, and choose Paste Special to remove the formatting. This will reset any problematic element and ensure we work on a clean slate.

Hopefully, you can resolve the issue using the solutions mentioned in this post.

Read: Fix There’s a problem with the clipboard Excel error

Where is the refresh option in Excel?

In Excel, the Refresh option is located under the Data tab on the Ribbon; however, users can also press Ctrl+ Alt + F5 to refresh all data connections. If Excel is not starting or has some issues, you can terminate the session by opening the Task Manager, right-clicking on the Excel session, and clicking on End Task; you can now open Excel. Hopefully, your problem will be resolved.

Also Read: Insert Excel Spreadsheet in Word Document.