worksheet size limit

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long term user - 05 Dec 2005 18:57 GMT

Why are the cells limited to 256 columns and 65,536 rows? Once a format is
set and then you realize its limits, its too late and too cumbersome to
reorganize the sheets. Are there any future restructuring of these limits to
a more even distrubution of rows and columns (30,000 X 30,000) by Microsoft?

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David McRitchie - 06 Dec 2005 04:14 GMT

Because machines were not designed in the year 2005, and
early machines could not even address 32768 positions in
memory let alone cells. Next year (2006 or 2007 in Microsoft terms)
you will have more capability in Excel 12.
---
HTH,
David McRitchie, Microsoft MVP - Excel [site changed Nov. 2001]
My Excel Pages: http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/excel.htm
Search Page: http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/search.htm

> Why are the cells limited to 256 columns and 65,536 rows? Once a format is
> set and then you realize its limits, its too late and too cumbersome to
> reorganize the sheets. Are there any future restructuring of these limits to
> a more even distrubution of rows and columns (30,000 X 30,000) by Microsoft?

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Ken Wright - 30 Jan 2006 23:48 GMT

It will not be square, but both values will increase considerably in the
next version.

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Regards
Ken....................... Microsoft MVP - Excel
Sys Spec - Win XP Pro / XL 97/00/02/03

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> Why are the cells limited to 256 columns and 65,536 rows? Once a format is
> set and then you realize its limits, its too late and too cumbersome to
> reorganize the sheets. Are there any future restructuring of these limits
> to
> a more even distrubution of rows and columns (30,000 X 30,000) by
> Microsoft?

Reply to this Message