Nothing ruins productivity faster than Excel freezing up just when you’re trying to copy or edit something. If you’ve ever seen the dreaded “Retrieving Data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again” error, you know the frustration.
But here’s the deal—you don’t have to wait! There are quick fixes and permanent solutions to stop this issue once and for all.
Why Does This Error Happen?
Excel Online syncs everything with Microsoft’s cloud servers. If there’s a delay—because of slow internet, browser issues, or a large dataset—Excel locks up and tells you to wait.
Common triggers include:
- Weak internet connection – Cloud syncing stalls when your network is unstable.
- Browser issues – Cache, cookies, or extensions interfering with Excel.
- Large or complex spreadsheets – The more data, the longer Excel takes to process.
- Microsoft server glitches – Sometimes, it’s on their end, not yours.
Instead of waiting for Excel to figure itself out, let’s fix it now.
Quick Fixes (Try These First!)
1. Refresh the Page (Fastest Solution)
🔄 Press F5 (Windows) or Command + R (Mac) to reload Excel. If that fails, log out and log back in.
2. Switch Browsers
🌐 Microsoft recommends Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari for Excel Online. If you’re using an outdated browser, switch now.
3. Clear Cache & Cookies
📌 In Google Chrome:
- Click three dots → Settings
- Go to Privacy & Security → Clear Browsing Data
- Select Cookies and Cached Images → Clear Data
This removes corrupted files that might be causing Excel to freeze.
4. Disable Problematic Browser Extensions
Some browser extensions—like ad blockers or security tools—can interfere with Excel.
- In Chrome, visit chrome://extensions/
- Disable unnecessary add-ons
- Restart the browser
5. Check Your Internet Connection
- Run a speed test on Speedtest.net
- Switch networks (try Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet)
- Restart your router for a fresh connection
If your internet is slow, try working offline (next step).
Advanced Fixes (If It Keeps Happening)
6. Download & Work Offline
If Excel keeps freezing, stop fighting it. Download your file and work offline.
- Click File → Save As → Download a Copy
- Open in Excel desktop app
- Edit without interruptions
This is the best fix for large spreadsheets.
7. Use an OCR Tool to Copy Data Faster
If you just need to copy data quickly, use an OCR tool instead of waiting for Excel.
✅ Windows: Microsoft PowerToys OCR
✅ Mac: Shottr or CleanShot X
✅ Browser: Awesome Screenshot Extension
8. Adjust Excel Settings
📌 Prevent future syncing delays:
- Go to File → Options → Advanced
- Scroll down and check the box for “Ignore other applications that use DDE”
- Click OK and restart Excel
9. Repair or Update Excel
If you use Excel 365 or the desktop version, outdated software can cause bugs.
- Go to Control Panel → Programs → Microsoft Office
- Click Update or Repair
How to Prevent This Error Forever
Want to never deal with this again? Here’s what to do:
✔ Use Excel’s desktop app for large spreadsheets
✔ Keep your browser updated (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox)
✔ Clear cache & cookies regularly
✔ Disable unnecessary extensions
✔ Ensure a stable internet connection
FAQs – Your Questions, Answered
Q: Does this error only happen in Excel Online?
Yes. The “Retrieving Data. Wait a Few Seconds” error occurs because Excel Online syncs with Microsoft’s cloud servers. The desktop version doesn’t have this issue.
Q: How long should I wait before trying again?
If the error doesn’t disappear in 10 seconds, don’t waste time—refresh, switch browsers, or clear cache immediately.
Q: Is this caused by large Excel files?
Yes. Heavy spreadsheets with complex formulas or thousands of rows take longer to sync. If you’re working with large files, download them and work offline.
Q: Will downloading my Excel file fix the issue permanently?
Yes, as long as you work offline. But if you re-upload it to Excel Online, the issue might return.
Q: Can a slow computer cause this?
Not usually. The issue is mostly internet-related, but keeping your PC updated always helps.
The “Retrieving Data. Wait a Few Seconds” error is annoying, but now you know how to fix it instantly.
🚀 Quick Fixes: Refresh, switch browsers, clear cache
⚡ Advanced Solutions: Work offline, use OCR tools, adjust settings
🔒 Prevention: Keep software updated, use stable internet, disable extensions
Follow these steps, and you’ll never have to wait for Excel again.
Now go ahead—copy and paste like a pro! 🚀
Agnes is a technical writer, being in touch with reports to come up with the latest tech leaks.