XL: "Save Changes in <Bookname>" Prompt Even If No Changes Are Made (274500)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95 7.0a
  • Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q274500

SYMPTOMS

When you close a workbook in Microsoft Excel, you may be prompted to save changes to the workbook even if you have not made any changes.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when Automatic or Automatic except tables calculation mode is selected on the Calculation options settings of Excel, and your workbook contains any of the following items:
  • A formula that uses volatile functions
  • A formula that contains a link to a formula in another workbook and which uses volatile functions
  • Linked pictures
  • Iterative formulas
  • Charts that are on chart sheets or that are embedded into worksheets but which have their source data in another workbook

MORE INFORMATION

When Automatic or Automatic except tables calculation mode is selected, and you open a workbook, Excel automatically recalculates the following items:
  • Volatile functions
  • Linked pictures
  • Iterative formulas
Because of this automatic recalculation, Excel prompts you to save changes to the workbook when you close it.

Volatile Functions in Excel

   CELL()     OFFSET() TODAY()
   INDIRECT() NOW()
   INFO()     RAND()
The CELL() function, although it causes this behavior, is not considered volatile in some situations.

For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

211370 XL: CELL Function with 'filename' No Longer Volatile

Charts

When you close a workbook that contains a chart of any type, Excel prompts you to save changes to the workbook. This is because of the way that Excel handles charts.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/18/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB274500
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