Excel workbook audit checklist

Work top to bottom on a copy. Measure, change one thing, and measure again. Skip a step only when the matching check shows there is nothing to do. Do not enable macros on a file you do not trust in order to complete the list.

1. Excel file size checker

   Name the largest ZIP part before you delete anything. A picture, a pivot cache, and a bloated sheet are different jobs.

   Package size breakdown · Why the file got large

2. Excel used range checker

   On each sheet with a large wasted-row count, confirm Ctrl+End and delete unused rows and columns, not just the cell values.

   Phantom used-range check · Phantom rows and the last cell

3. Excel pivot cache checker

   If cache records are a large share of the file, decide whether that copy of the source needs to travel with the workbook.

   Pivot cache inventory · Reduce the file after you measure it

4. Conditional formatting bloat checker

   Replace a stack of one-cell rules with one rule for the real range. Count first so you know the cleanup worked.

   Conditional formatting inventory · Causes of slow calculation

5. Volatile formula checker for Excel

   Count NOW, OFFSET, INDIRECT, and the rest. Replace the calls that do not need to be volatile, and time one edit afterward.

   Volatile function inventory · A list of volatile functions

6. Find #REF! errors in a workbook

   Clear #REF! before you wrap anything in IFERROR. Fix one pattern, save, and confirm the count fell.

   Cached error finder · Fix stored formula errors

7. Find external links in Excel

   List stored targets. Keep a path the recipient can open, or leave a value behind and remove the pointer.

   External link inventory · When Break Links does nothing

8. Excel named range checker

   Review broken and external names first. Treat unused candidates as a queue, not as a delete-all list.

   Defined-name inventory · Clean up defined names

9. Check XLSM macros without opening them

   Inventory the VBA project with macros disabled. Enable content only if the module list matches what you expected.

   Macro project inventory · Is the XLSM safe to open?

10. Find very hidden sheets in Excel

    Compare the sheet list with the tabs you were told about. Very hidden sheets do not appear in Unhide.

    Sheet visibility list · Very hidden sheets and VBA

11. Excel corrupted file checker

    Read which part failed before you let Excel repair a copy. Do not overwrite the only file.

    Package integrity check · Repair unreadable Excel content