How to Clear Cache in Office 365 and Improve Your Productivity

If you’re experiencing performance issues with your Office 365 applications like Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, or Excel, it might be worth considering clearing the cache. The cache is a temporary storage that helps these applications run smoothly by storing data and files that are frequently accessed. However, over time, the cache can become bloated, leading to slow performance and other issues.

Clearing the cache in Office 365 can help resolve various problems:

• Fixing sluggish performance
• Resolving synchronization issues
• Fixing display or formatting problems
• Clearing outdated or corrupted data

Clearing the cache is a simple process and can be done through the settings in each Office 365 application. However, it’s important to note that clearing the cache will remove any temporary data or settings associated with the application, so you may need to reconfigure some preferences or settings afterwards.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to clear the cache in Office 365 applications like Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, helping you improve their performance and prevent any potential issues.

Why Clear Cache in Office 365?

Clearing the cache in Office 365 can help resolve various issues and improve the performance of your Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook. The cache is a temporary storage location where Office applications store data and settings to improve their efficiency and speed up operations.

Clearing the cache can be useful in situations where you encounter problems like slow loading times, error messages, or outdated data. By clearing the cache, you are essentially removing any temporary files or stored settings that may be causing conflicts or issues with your Office applications.

Here are a few situations where clearing the cache in Office 365 can be beneficial:

1. Slow Loading Times: If you notice that your Office applications are taking longer than usual to open or load files, clearing the cache can help improve their speed and responsiveness. Removing the temporary files stored in the cache allows the applications to retrieve the latest data more efficiently.

2. Error Messages: Sometimes, cached data can become corrupted or outdated, leading to error messages or unexpected behavior in your Office applications. Clearing the cache can help resolve these issues by forcing the applications to recreate the cache with fresh data and settings.

3. Outdated Data: Office applications like Excel and Outlook rely on up-to-date information to function properly. If you notice that the data displayed in your Office applications is not the latest or doesn’t match what is expected, clearing the cache can help ensure that you are working with the most recent data.

4. Troubleshooting: When troubleshooting issues in Office 365, clearing the cache is often one of the recommended steps. It helps eliminate cached data as a possible source of problems, allowing you to narrow down the root cause of the issue more effectively.

Overall, clearing the cache in Office 365 can help optimize the performance and reliability of your Microsoft Office applications. It is a simple and effective troubleshooting step that can resolve various issues related to speed, data accuracy, and unexpected behavior.

Benefits of Clearing Cache in Office 365

Clearing the cache in Office 365, which includes popular applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, can provide a number of benefits for users. Cache is a temporary storage area that stores data to help with faster access and retrieval. While caching is generally beneficial, clearing the cache can help resolve various issues and improve overall performance.

Here are some of the benefits of clearing the cache in Office 365:

1. Enhanced Performance	Clearing the cache can help boost the performance of Office 365 applications. Accumulated cache files over time can slow down the software, resulting in slower load times, frequent crashes, and unresponsive actions. By clearing the cache, users can experience faster response times and smoother operation.
2. Resolving Errors	Clearing the cache can sometimes fix various errors that occur in Office 365 applications. Issues such as missing or corrupted files, formatting problems, and random crashes can be resolved by clearing the cache. This is because the cache can sometimes become outdated or contain erroneous data, causing these errors.
3. Freeing up Storage Space	As cache files accumulate over time, they can take up a significant amount of storage space on the device. Clearing the cache frees up this storage space, allowing users to utilize it for other purposes. This can be particularly beneficial for devices with limited storage capacity.
4. Resetting Application Settings	Clearing the cache can also reset the application settings in Office 365. This can be useful if users want to start fresh or if they have made changes to settings that have caused unexpected issues. Resetting the application settings can restore default configurations and resolve any associated problems.

Overall, clearing the cache in Office 365 can help improve performance, resolve errors, free up storage space, and reset application settings. It is recommended to clear the cache periodically to ensure optimal functioning of Office 365 applications.

Method 1: Clearing Cache in Outlook

If you are experiencing issues with your Microsoft Office 365 applications such as Outlook, Excel, or PowerPoint, it may be helpful to clear the cache. Clearing the cache can help resolve problems related to slow performance, corrupted files, or other errors that could be caused by cached data.

Step 1: Close Outlook

Before you can clear the cache in Outlook, you need to ensure that the application is closed. Close Outlook and all other Office 365 applications that may be running in the background.

Step 2: Locate the Cache Files

The next step is to locate the cache files on your computer. The exact location of the cache files may vary depending on your operating system, but generally, they can be found in the following directory: C:UsersAppDataLocalMicrosoftOffice16.0. Replace with your actual username on your computer.

Step 3: Clear the Cache

Once you have located the cache files, simply select all the files and delete them. You may need administrative privileges to delete these files. Deleting the cache files will not delete any personal data or important settings, but it will remove any cached data that may be causing issues in Outlook.

After you have deleted the cache files, you can restart Outlook. The application will automatically recreate the cache files with fresh data, which may help resolve any issues you were experiencing.

It is important to note that clearing the cache in Outlook may also clear the cache for other Office 365 applications on your computer. If you are still experiencing issues with Excel, PowerPoint, or other Microsoft Office 365 applications, you may need to repeat this process for each application individually.

Method 2: Clearing Cache in Word

If you are experiencing issues with the cache in Microsoft Word, such as slow performance or outdated file previews, clearing the cache can often resolve these problems. Follow the steps below to clear the cache in Word:

Step 1: Close Word

Before clearing the cache, make sure to close Microsoft Word completely. This will ensure that any temporary files in the cache are not in use.

Step 2: Open File Explorer

To access the Word cache folder, you will need to open File Explorer on your computer. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + E or by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar.

Step 3: Navigate to the Cache Folder

1. In File Explorer, navigate to the following location:
• %userprofile%AppDataLocalMicrosoftOffice16.0WordCache
2. Note: The version number (16.0) may vary depending on your installation of Office 365. If you are using a different version of Office, the folder path may be slightly different.

Step 4: Delete Cache Files

Once you have located the cache folder, select all the files inside it and delete them. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + A to select all, then pressing the Delete key on your keyboard.

Alternatively, you can right-click on any file in the folder, select “Delete” from the context menu, and confirm the deletion.

Step 5: Restart Word

After deleting the cache files, you can now restart Microsoft Word. The cache will be cleared, and Word will create new cache files as needed.

Clearing the cache in Word can help improve performance and resolve issues related to cached data. If you are experiencing similar issues with other Office 365 applications like Excel or PowerPoint, you can follow similar steps to clear their respective caches.

Method 3: Clearing Cache in Excel

If you are experiencing performance issues or encountering problems with Excel in your Office 365 subscription, clearing the cache can be a helpful troubleshooting step. The cache stores temporary data and files that are used by Excel to improve performance. However, sometimes the cache can become corrupted or outdated, leading to issues with the program. In this method, we will guide you through the process of clearing the cache in Excel.

Step 1: Close Excel

Before clearing the cache, it is important to close Excel completely. Make sure that all Excel files and processes are closed before proceeding.

Step 2: Clear the Cache

To clear the cache in Excel, follow these steps:

1.	Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R.
2.	Type %localappdata%MicrosoftOffice and press Enter.
3.	Navigate to the version of Excel you are using (e.g., Office16 for Office 2016, Office15 for Office 2013).
4.	Delete the contents of the Excel folder.
5.	Restart Excel.

Note: Clearing the cache will also remove any unsaved changes or customizations you have made in Excel. Make sure to save your work before proceeding.

Once you have cleared the cache, Excel will create a new cache folder with updated files the next time you use the program. This can help resolve any issues related to the cache.

By following these steps, you have successfully cleared the cache in Excel. If you are still experiencing problems, you may consider contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.

Method 4: Clearing Cache in PowerPoint

If you are experiencing issues with your PowerPoint presentations in Office 365, such as slow performance, glitches, or freezing, it may be necessary to clear the cache for PowerPoint. Clearing the cache removes temporary files and data stored by PowerPoint, which can help improve performance and resolve issues.

Follow the steps below to clear the cache in PowerPoint:

1. Close any open PowerPoint presentations.
2. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
3. In the File Explorer window, navigate to the following location: %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOffice16.0
4. In the “16.0” folder, locate and open the “OfficeFileCache” folder.
5. Delete all the files and folders inside the “OfficeFileCache” folder.
6. Close File Explorer.
7. Restart PowerPoint.

After following these steps, PowerPoint will create a new cache when it starts, which should help resolve any performance issues you were experiencing.

Remember that clearing the cache in PowerPoint is specific to PowerPoint and may not resolve issues with other Office 365 applications such as Word, Excel, or Outlook. If you are experiencing issues with other applications, you may need to clear the cache for those specific applications as well using the appropriate methods.

Method 5: Clearing Cache in OneNote

OneNote is a popular note-taking app from Microsoft Office 365 suite, along with other applications like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. If you are experiencing issues with OneNote, such as slow performance or missing data, it might be helpful to clear the cache.

Clearing the cache in OneNote can resolve various problems, including syncing issues and slow loading times. Here are the steps to clear the cache in OneNote:

1. Open OneNote on your computer.
2. Click on the “File” tab at the top left corner of the window.
3. Select “Options” from the menu.
4. In the Options window, go to the “Save & Backup” section.
5. Click on the “Clear Cache” button under the “Save” section.
6. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click on “Yes” to clear the cache.
7. Once the cache is cleared, click on “OK” to close the Options window.

After clearing the cache, you may need to restart OneNote for the changes to take effect. The cache will be rebuilt as you use the application, which may improve its performance.

Note that clearing the cache in OneNote will not delete any of your notes or data. It only removes temporary files and cached data, which can help resolve issues related to performance and synchronization.

By following these steps, you can clear the cache in OneNote and potentially improve its performance. If you continue to experience issues, you may consider contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.

Method 6: Clearing Cache in SharePoint

If you are using Office 365 for your business, then chances are high that you are also utilizing SharePoint for inter-team collaboration and document management. SharePoint is a powerful tool that allows you to store, share, and collaborate on files within your organization.

When using SharePoint, your web browser may store temporary files, known as cache, to improve performance and load files faster. However, over time, this cache can accumulate and lead to performance issues or outdated information being displayed. This is why it is important to clear the cache in SharePoint regularly.

To clear the cache in SharePoint, follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox).
2. Navigate to the SharePoint site where you want to clear the cache.
3. Press Ctrl + F5 or Shift + F5 on your keyboard to perform a hard refresh. This will bypass the cache and load the latest version of the site.
4. If the issue still persists, you can try clearing the browser cache. The steps to do this may vary depending on the browser you are using. For example, in Google Chrome, you can go to the Settings menu, select Advanced, and then click on Clear browsing data. From there, you can choose to clear cached images and files.
5. After clearing the browser cache, close and reopen the web browser.
6. Try accessing the SharePoint site again to see if the cache has been cleared and the issue resolved.

Clearing the cache in SharePoint can help address various issues, such as incorrect or outdated information being displayed, slow page loading times, or errors when accessing certain features or files. It is a simple yet effective troubleshooting step that can often resolve these issues.

Remember to clear the cache periodically, especially if you frequently use SharePoint or notice any performance issues. By doing so, you can ensure that you are accessing the most up-to-date information and maximizing your productivity within the Office 365 ecosystem.

Method 7: Clearing Cache in Teams

If you are experiencing performance issues or encountering errors while using Microsoft Teams, it might be helpful to clear the cache. Clearing the cache can help resolve various issues related to slow loading, freezing, or crashing of the Teams application. Here’s how you can clear the cache in Teams:

Step 1: Close Microsoft Teams

Before clearing the cache, make sure to close the Microsoft Teams application completely. You can do this by right-clicking on the Teams icon in the system tray and selecting “Close” or by ending the process through the Task Manager.

Step 2: Clear Teams Cache

To clear the cache in Teams, follow these steps:

1. Press the “Windows” key + “R” to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “%appdata%MicrosoftTeams” and press Enter.
3. A File Explorer window will open, displaying the Teams cache folder.
4. Press “Ctrl” + “A” to select all the files and folders in the cache folder.
5. Press “Shift” + “Delete” to permanently delete the selected items.
6. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Once the cache is cleared, you can reopen Microsoft Teams and check if the performance issues or errors are resolved. Clearing the cache in Teams can also help in syncing issues and resolving any inconsistencies in data.

Note: Clearing the cache will remove any locally stored data, such as chat history or settings, so it’s important to consider whether you need to back up any important information before proceeding.

Method 8: Clearing Cache in OneDrive

If you are using Office 365, Microsoft offers a cloud-based file storage and sharing service called OneDrive. OneDrive allows you to store your files securely in the cloud and access them from anywhere, on any device.

When using OneDrive, your files are often cached locally on your device to speed up access and ensure you can work offline. However, over time, the cache can become bloated and may start causing issues with your Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Step 1: Close all Office applications

Before clearing the cache in OneDrive, make sure to close all Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This will ensure that there are no active connections or processes accessing the cache files.

Step 2: Clear the cache in OneDrive

To clear the cache in OneDrive, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (located in the bottom-right corner of the screen).
2. Select “Settings” from the context menu.
3. In the Microsoft OneDrive settings window, go to the “Files” tab.
4. Under the “Files On-Demand” section, click on the “Clear” button.
5. Confirm the action by clicking “OK” in the confirmation dialog.

Once you have cleared the cache, OneDrive will start rebuilding the cache files as you access your files from the cloud. This may take some time depending on the size of your cache and the number of files stored in OneDrive. During this process, you may experience slower performance while using Office applications.

By following these steps, you should be able to clear the cache in OneDrive and resolve any cache-related issues you might be experiencing with your Office 365 applications.

Method 9: Clearing Cache in Exchange Online

If you are experiencing issues with your Exchange Online account, such as slow performance or missing emails, clearing the cache can often resolve these problems. The cache stores temporary data to improve the speed and performance of Exchange Online. However, if it becomes corrupted or overloaded, it can cause various issues.

Step 1: Close Microsoft Office Applications

In order to clear the cache in Exchange Online, you will need to close all Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. This ensures that no files are in use and allows the cache to be cleared properly.

Step 2: Clear the Cache

To clear the cache in Exchange Online, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel on your computer.
2. Click on “Mail” or “Mail (32-bit)”.
3. A new window will open. Click on the “Email Accounts” or “Accounts” button.
4. Select your Exchange Online account and click on the “Change” button.
5. In the next window, click on the “More Settings” button.
6. A new window will open. Go to the “Advanced” tab.
7. Under the “Cached Exchange Mode” section, uncheck the option “Use Cached Exchange Mode”.
8. Click on “OK” to save the changes.
9. Restart your computer to complete the process.

Note: Clearing the cache will remove all locally stored data, including emails and attachments. Ensure that you have a backup of important data before proceeding.

Step 3: Verify the Cache is Cleared

After restarting your computer, open Outlook or any other Office application and check if the cache has been cleared successfully. You should notice improved performance and any previous issues related to the cache should be resolved.

In conclusion, clearing the cache in Exchange Online can often resolve various issues with your Office 365 account. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your cache is cleared properly and enjoy a smoother experience with Microsoft Office applications.

Method 10: Clearing Cache in Yammer

If you are using Office 365, chances are you are also using other Microsoft applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. These applications store temporary files and data in the cache to improve performance. However, over time, the cache can become bloated and cause issues. Clearing the cache is a simple but effective solution.

Yammer, which is a social networking service, is also a part of Office 365. To clear the cache in Yammer, you can follow these steps:

1. First, open the Yammer application on your device.
2. Next, click on the settings icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Clear Cache” from the dropdown menu.
4. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click on “Clear” to confirm.
5. Yammer will now clear the cache, which may take a few moments.
6. Once the cache is cleared, you can close the Yammer application and relaunch it.

Clearing the cache in Yammer can help resolve issues such as slow performance, display errors, or outdated content. It is recommended to clear the cache regularly to ensure optimal performance of the application.

Method 11: Clearing Cache in Delve

To clear the cache in Delve, follow these steps:

1. Open Delve from your Office 365 dashboard or by going to https://www.office.com/.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
3. Once signed in, click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the Delve page.
4. In the drop-down menu, select “My Office Profile”.
5. In the left sidebar, click on “Manage Account”.
6. Under the “Delve” section, click on “Clear my activity”. This will clear your cached data in Delve.

By following these steps, you will be able to clear the cache in Delve and ensure that you are viewing the most up-to-date information in Microsoft Office.

Method 12: Clearing Cache in Sway

If you are experiencing performance issues or encountering errors while using Sway in Office 365, clearing the cache might help resolve the problem. The cache in Sway stores temporary data files that can accumulate over time and potentially impact the application’s performance. Follow the steps below to clear the cache in Sway:

1. Launch Sway on your device.
2. Click on the “Settings” option, usually located in the top right corner of the screen.
3. From the drop-down menu, select “Clear Cache.”
4. A confirmation pop-up may appear. Click “OK” to proceed with clearing the cache.
5. Sway will clear the cache and restart. Any temporary data files stored in the cache will be deleted.

After clearing the cache, you may notice improved performance and fewer errors in Sway. If the issue persists, you may need to consider other troubleshooting steps or reach out to Office 365 support for further assistance.

Method 13: Clearing Cache in Forms

If you are using Outlook, Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or any other Microsoft 365 application, chances are that you have encountered issues related to cache. Cache is a temporary storage area that stores data for faster access in the future. However, sometimes it can cause problems, and clearing it can help resolve various issues.

In this method, we will focus on clearing the cache specifically in Forms. Forms is a popular application included in Office 365 that allows users to create surveys, quizzes, and polls. Clearing the cache in Forms can help with issues such as slow loading, missing data, or error messages.

To clear the cache in Forms, follow these steps:

1. Open Forms in your Office 365 account.
2. Click on the ellipsis (…) next to the specific form you want to clear the cache for.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. In the Settings menu, click on “Clear cache” to initiate the cache clearing process.
5. Depending on the size of the cache, it might take a few seconds or minutes to clear.
6. Once the cache is cleared, you will see a confirmation message.

By following these steps, you can easily clear the cache in Forms and potentially resolve any issues you may be having. It is important to note that clearing the cache in Forms will not affect any of your saved forms or data. The cache clearing process only removes temporary files and allows the application to start fresh.

In conclusion, clearing the cache in Forms can be a simple and effective way to troubleshoot issues in this Microsoft 365 application. If you are experiencing any problems, give this method a try and see if it improves your experience.

Method 14: Clearing Cache in Planner

In addition to applications like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, Microsoft Office 365 also includes a tool called Planner. Planner is a project management application that allows teams to collaborate on tasks and organize their work.

Similar to other Office 365 applications, Planner stores data in a cache on your computer to improve performance. However, if you are experiencing issues with Planner, it may be helpful to clear the cache to resolve any potential conflicts or errors.

Step 1: Close Planner

Before clearing the cache, make sure to close Planner completely. This ensures that all data is saved and that the cache is not being actively used.

Step 2: Clear the Cache

To clear the cache in Planner, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer on your computer.
2. Navigate to the following directory: %localappdata%MicrosoftOffice16.0OfficeFileCache
3. Delete all of the files and folders in the OfficeFileCache folder.

After deleting the cache files, you can reopen Planner and start a new session. This will create a fresh cache and hopefully resolve any issues you were experiencing.

Clearing the cache in Planner is a simple process that can help improve the performance and reliability of the application. If you continue to experience issues with Planner, you may want to consider reinstalling the application or contacting Microsoft Support for further assistance.

Method 15: Clearing Cache in Power Automate

Power Automate is a powerful tool provided by Microsoft Office 365 that allows users to create and automate workflows across various applications, such as Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Just like any other application, Power Automate utilizes cache storage to improve performance and reduce the need for repeated data retrieval. However, the cache can sometimes become cluttered and outdated, causing issues with the workflow execution.

If you are experiencing unexpected behavior or errors in your Power Automate flows, it may be necessary to clear the cache. To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Power Automate

Launch the Power Automate application or navigate to the Power Automate website.

Step 2: Access Cache Settings

Click on your user profile or settings icon, usually located in the upper-right corner of the page. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings” or a similar option.

Step 3: Clear the Cache

In the settings menu, locate the cache options. Look for a button or link that says “Clear cache,” “Empty cache,” or similar. Click on it to initiate the cache clearing process.

Once the cache has been cleared, close and reopen Power Automate to ensure that the changes take effect. Your workflows should now function properly without any cache-related issues.

Remember, clearing the cache in Power Automate is a troubleshooting step that can help resolve performance or functionality problems. If the issues persist after clearing the cache, you may need to further investigate the root cause or seek assistance from the Microsoft support team.

Question-answer:

What is cache in Office 365?

Cache in Office 365 is a storage location where data is stored temporarily to improve the performance of applications and websites. It helps in faster access to frequently used data.

Why should I clear the cache in Office 365?

Clearing the cache in Office 365 can help resolve various issues such as slow performance, display issues, and outdated data. It also ensures that you are accessing the most up-to-date information from the server.

Will clearing the cache in Office 365 delete any of my data?

No, clearing the cache in Office 365 will not delete any of your data. It will only remove the temporary files stored in the cache to improve the performance of the applications.

Is it necessary to clear the cache in Office 365 regularly?

It is not necessary to clear the cache in Office 365 regularly. However, if you encounter any performance issues or outdated data, clearing the cache can help resolve them. Clearing the cache once in a while can also help ensure that you are always accessing the latest information from the server.

What is cache in Office 365?

Cache in Office 365 is temporary data stored on a computer or device to improve the performance of Office applications and reduce the need to download files and information from the internet every time you use the apps.