Excel randomly crashes and stops working when using data validation dropdown list

[zinc65li]

Dear All,

I'm having issues with Excel randomly crashes and stops working. When I click the cells with data validation dropdown list in some Excel files, Excel randomly stops working and crashes. I cannot reproduce the issue. Sometimes restart computer makes it better, but it gets worse again after few hours.

For those files with issues, the data validation refers to a column about 200 rows in a table in a different worksheet. There is about 100 cells with data validation. And there is no VBA code or worksheet change event associated with those cells.

I'm using Excel 2016, Win8.1. I've tried to run Excel in safe mode, turn "Ignore other application that use Dynamic Date Exchange (DDE)" on and off, the issue still exists.

Does anyone have similar issues? Any suggestion will be very helpful. Thank you.

Sorry that I cannot upload those files since my company doesn't allow me to do so.

[Tsjallie]

Welcome to the forum.
To bad you can't upload the file. That would help.
I have been encountering similar behaviour of Excel 2016. In one case Excel crashes at appently random moments. In the other case a (Forms) scrolbar behaved erritically.
In both cases conditional formatting proved to be the culprit.
If you're using CF on the cells with data validation or in the table the data validation refers to, try removing the CF.

[zinc65li]

Tsjallie,

Thank you for your suggestions. I check the files and there is no CF on the cells

Welcome to the forum.
To bad you can't upload the file. That would help.
I have been encountering similar behaviour of Excel 2016. In one case Excel crashes at appently random moments. In the other case a (Forms) scrolbar behaved erritically.
In both cases conditional formatting proved to be the culprit.
If you're using CF on the cells with data validation or in the table the data validation refers to, try removing the CF.

[Tsjallie]

It's a long shot, but you could try these things (first one at a time if that doesn't help try combinations)

1. reduce the number of rows the data validation refers to
2. reduce to number of cells with data validation
3. switch of automatic calculation
4. check if the table wih the data validation rows refers to the sheet with the cells with data validation

Of course filing the issue at Microsoft support would also be a way to go (though most of the time that's the equivalent of praying). I assume your company has Office licensed and should be entitled to receive support.

[zinc65li]

Thank you, Tsjallie. I will try those things to see it improves or not.

It's a long shot, but you could try these things (first one at a time if that doesn't help try combinations)

1. reduce the number of rows the data validation refers to
2. reduce to number of cells with data validation
3. switch of automatic calculation
4. check if the table wih the data validation rows refers to the sheet with the cells with data validation

Of course filing the issue at Microsoft support would also be a way to go (though most of the time that's the equivalent of praying). I assume your company has Office licensed and should be entitled to receive support.