Excel 2013 - Processor overheats when processing large files

JuanBonnett69 · 28 Sep 2014

Hello, I have a very rare issue here.

I'm trying to convert a normal xlsx file into a csv file.

In the xlsx file there are normal columns and rows, nothing strange, nor formatting or something pretty, only colums and rows with products plain information.

I've received these files via email, I've downloaded them and when I open them they open in protected mode, or view-only mode.

Each files have thousands of rows, let's say 3000 to 5000 rows.

When I click on "enable editing" button, the processor starts working at 99% it takes stays one minute frozen, and starts overheathing untill it reaches the temperature of emergency shutdown.

The problem is not the processor itself, I've made maintenance to the computer recently, removed all the dust, I've changed the cooling creme, I've played heavy video games for weeks with no problem and none of them make the processor reach more than 50ºC (Excel exceeds the max temperature of 61ºC).

My processor is a six core AMD FX6100, I have 8B of RAM DDR3 and the file is stored in a 160GB SATA hard drive.

Any advice? I won't be able to work with this important files unless this is fixed. Thank you

Ranger4 · 28 Sep 2014

Would it be possible to do the conversion in smaller batches, rather than trying the whole lot at once.

I see you are using Windows 8, so it might be worthwhile posting on the Windows 8 Forum as well.

Tookeri · 28 Sep 2014

5000 rows isn't that much so I don't think that should be the problem. Is this happening if you only open one file?

When you enable editing you leave the protected view. So I guess there's more content in these files than you're able to see in protected view, and that content may be causing this. Try on another PC to see if that gets the same problem. While in protected view you can try and copy the data to a new excel file and do your work from there.

JuanBonnett69 · 29 Sep 2014

Thank you all for your reply.

I've opened the file in a customer's computer. It's a dual core I guess, and it takes some times to open the file. Excel shows in a green bar in the bottom of the spreadsheet something like "Using 2 processors | 50%". Stays there for a few time and then, the file is ready and available to do anything.

I've had to open the files in another computer, saved them in the format I need (CSV), and then sent these files via email. When I open the CSV files in my computer, I can work with them normally.

It's a weird issue, I don't know if someone else has had this too. There must be a huge amount of factors that could be causing this.

EDIT:

I realized the XLSX file I opened had more than 38,000 Rows.

When I open that file (it's 3MB) it opens fast and normal but in protected view. I can see all the rows.

When I click on "Enable Editing" is where my processor goes insane and starts heating to the maximum temperature of 61ºC, if that temp is exceeded, the system shuts down automatically.

My customer has these files on his computer, and when he opens them he does not have this problem. Weird.

Tookeri · 29 Sep 2014

Good that you could work around it :)

My guess it's the content in these specific files that does some heavy work when they're opened. But when opened in protected view that isn't allowed as everything is read-only.

JuanBonnett69 · 29 Sep 2014

I'm about to think it is an MS Excel 2013 bug. It just goes insane, I'll try to figure out if my office is up to date and then I'll check again.

It might be a bug in terms of processor management when Excel is doing it's math and processing each row.

How is it possible that all the cores in the processor reach 100% in usage and it reaches the overheat temperature in few seconds? o.0

Tookeri · 29 Sep 2014

I get lots of hits when google: excel 2013 cpu 100

You could try Excel in Safe Mode by holding down the CTRL key when starting Excel: Work with Office safe modes - Excel

Or do a repair install of Office.

Ranger4 · 29 Sep 2014

To see if your Office 2013 is up to date, open an Office application, click on File & then select Account, this will show a box called Office Updates, click on that & select Update Now. This will update your Office 2013 if needed or tell you it's up to date.
You could also try repairing Office. Open Control Panel, select programs & Features, scroll down to Microsoft Office, Right Click on it & select Change & this will open a couple of repair options to try.