Numbers-file getting slow / crashing with "quit unexpectedly" error

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Numbers-file getting slow / crashing with "quit unexpectedly" error

I have a file of + 50 000 rows & 8 columns, and one column uses LEFT-function to parce a string from another column for categorizing data, and I also calculate COUNTA and SUM for two columns.

I have "Categories" for 3 columns active at all times, I also use "Sort" for 3 columns quite often. Some basic formatting in the sheet too. I use manual "Save" after couple new added rows. I also manually copy the file to keep backups quite often.

File is stored in iCould. File size about 20MB.

I run this on mid 2015 MBP with Monterey and 16GB memory, current Number s v 12.2.1

I found out that when I copy all the content ( + 50k rows) CMD-C + CMD-V to a new Numbers file, the file works very quickly at first and does not crash at all. Also saving is done immediately for such a big sheet file.

However, the file gets slower and slower as I use it and "weeks go by". Saving starts to take "seconds" and this "quit unexpectedly" crash starts to happen more often.

Is there another way to "reboot" / "reset" the file than to copy-paste content to a fresh new file? Is there a cache that I can manually delete, as Numbers definitely seems to accumulate log-data for this sheet-file somewhere over time?

MacBook Pro 15″

Posted on Dec 5, 2022 1:13 AM

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Answer 1

K_Faith

Community Specialist

Dec 6, 2022 7:15 PM in response to Hauva

Hello Hauva,

Thank you for reaching out to Apple Support Communities, and we'll be happy to help in any way we can. We understand you're having issues with Numbers crashing on your Mac. Try the steps listed here to see if they resolve the issue: If an app freezes or quits unexpectedly on Mac - Apple Support

"When an app on your Mac stops working, try these suggestions.

If an app doesn’t quit as expected, or it’s unresponsive, you can force quit the app (you may lose unsaved changes). Choose Apple menu > Force Quit, select the app in the dialog that appears, then click Force Quit.
If the app quit, reopen it by clicking Reopen in the dialog that appears.
Restart your Mac by choosing Apple menu > Restart.
Make sure the app is compatible with your version of macOS.
Open another file in the app. There may be a problem with the original file.
Check for updates to your software.
Disconnect any peripheral devices you just connected (for example, a printer). They may not be compatible with your version of macOS.
Uninstall any app plug-ins or enhancements from other manufacturers.
If you recently updated the app or macOS, a plug-in or enhancement you installed may no longer be compatible.
Diagnose problems with your Mac to learn whether hardware you installed, such as additional memory, is incompatible, improperly installed, or defective."

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

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Answer 2

Hauva Author

Level 1

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Dec 7, 2022 1:14 AM in response to K_Faith

"Open another file in the app. There may be a problem with the original file."

This seems to be the issue here, but what is the "problem" with the original file? How come it gets slower and crashes more often as time goes by?

When I create fresh new file and copy 50k lines from the original file + manually add Categories etc, the new file works beautifully at first.. Then it gradually gets more sluggish, and this process takes weeks when using this file on daily basis.

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Answer 3

karina184

Community Specialist

Dec 7, 2022 10:23 AM in response to Hauva

Hey Hauva,

Thanks for that additional information. It can be difficult to say the exact cause of the issue without more troubleshooting. Were you able to complete the steps we provided in the previous response? This information will help us decide how to continue further.

Cheers!

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Answer 4

Hauva Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 18, 2022 2:05 AM in response to karina184

If an app doesn’t quit as expected, or it’s unresponsive, you can force quit the app (you may lose unsaved changes). Choose Apple menu > Force Quit, select the app in the dialog that appears, then click Force Quit.

-> DONE, NOT HELPING

If the app quit, reopen it by clicking Reopen in the dialog that appears.

-> DONE, NOT HELPING

Restart your Mac by choosing Apple menu > Restart.

-> DONE, NOT HELPING

Make sure the app is compatible with your version of macOS.

-> DONE, LATEST VERSIONS INSTALLED FOR OS (12.6.2.) AND NUMBERS (12.2.1.)

Open another file in the app. There may be a problem with the original file.

-> YES, THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THE FILE: FILE GETS SLOW AND UNSTABLE OVER TIME AND ONLY AFTER 100's OF SAVES, WHAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM?

Check for updates to your software.

-> DONE, LATEST VERSIONS INSTALLED FOR OS (12.6.2.) AND NUMBERS (12.2.1.)

Disconnect any peripheral devices you just connected (for example, a printer). They may not be compatible with your version of macOS.

-> DONE, NO EXT DEVICES ATTACHED

Uninstall any app plug-ins or enhancements from other manufacturers.

-> DONE, NO PLUGINS INVOLVED

If you recently updated the app or macOS, a plug-in or enhancement you installed may no longer be compatible.

-> DONE, LATEST VERSIONS INSTALLED FOR OS (12.6.2.) AND NUMBERS (12.2.1.)

Diagnose problems with your Mac to learn whether hardware you installed, such as additional memory, is incompatible, improperly installed, or defective."

-> CANNOT ACCESS DIAGNOSTICS BASED ON THE LINK YOU PROVIDED, INTEL PROCESSOR IN QUESTION

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Answer 5

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Dec 18, 2022 12:38 PM in response to Hauva

Thanks for getting back to us, Hauva. Have you looked at any of the formulas that you copy/pasted from the original spreadsheet in the current version for any reference to the original? There are times when this has also happened to us.

If you’re not seeing any reference to the original document, we recommend reaching out to Apple Support: Get Support. Choose Apps & Software > Numbers to reach the right team.

All the best.

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Numbers-file getting slow / crashing with "quit unexpectedly" error

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