Volatile and non-volatile functions

Functions in Microsoft Excel are either volatile or non-volatile. Cells that contain volatile functions are evaluated every time a file is recalculated, as well as any dependent cells, regardless of whether any of the function's arguments have changed. Non-volatile functions are evaluated only when the function's arguments have changed.

Use of many volatile functions in a file can dramatically slow down calculation times for that file. Whenever possible, you should use non-volatile design alternatives and limit use of volatile functions.

Be aware that if a non-volatile function references a volatile function in its parameters, then the non-volatile function will behave as if it is volatile.

Microsoft Excel functions

The following Microsoft Excel functions are volatile (view source MSDN document):

Now
Today
Rand
Offset
Indirect
Info (depending on its arguments)
Cell (depending on its arguments)

Axiom functions

The following Axiom functions are volatile:

GetColumnLetter
GetCurrentSheetView
GetFormState
GetDocumentInfo
GetRowNumber
GetSharedVariable
GetUserInfo
RunEvent
SetSharedVariable

Get more information and training resources: www.kaufmanhall.com

Was this topic helpful?

volatile_non_volatile.htm