WFH issues especially Excel, getting desperate

[RandomMess]

When I WFH it's frankly crap especially with Excel. Struggle to highlight cells even, moving emails between folders etc etc. It's at the point I can't really WFH as its so slow and frustrating.

IT support at work are stumped/clueless.

Could it just be my internet isn't fast enough and I need to upgrade to ultra - I am so reluctant to do this if that isn't the problem.

At work everything is saved on ShitPoint - sorry SharePoint and I honestly think that could be part of the issue as it's constantly having to communicate with the network. We have HP Elitebooks, also possibly a bit shit? At home I even use an ethernet cable.

Of course DH has none of these issues, he works elsewhere and not based on Shit Point and relies on the Wifi.

Desperate plea for help here. TIA

Can you go into the office more? It does sound like your Internet is too slow.

Sure I can go in the office everyday but I don't want to, I like the peace and quiet at home and actually due to disabilities would be preferable.

1. It didn't used to be this bad until they did some sort of upgrade a few months ago.
2. DH has zero issues, we both use in Citrix in part.

Do you use the same laptop at the office without issues?

If so ot could be your internet connection.

I work a lot on big Excel files on an HP elite book with no issues. However, these are all downloaded locally to work on and then saved back to SharePoint.

Have you synced your OneDrive to SharePoint? This might help if you haven't already done som

Any chance you can go somewhere or to a friends house that has faster connection and see if that does resolve the issue? At least then it will help you to work out whether that is what’s causing the problem or not.

Check your internet speed, do you have copper or fibre connection and is it capped speed?, is your partner working at home same time as you? Check if you can upgrade? Surely it's worth it to stop stressing. Either that download locally, edit and upload to sharepoint?

Can you switch off autosave on the files you use with SharePoint? My computer sometimes gets in a tizz when it's trying to autosave a big workbook. It's obviously not ideal but worth a try to see if it helps. Mine hates autosave equally whether I'm at home or at the office though!

Are you working on Excel in the online version/browser? Do you open it in the app? If you open it in the app it may work better. I hate the online browser version which is how many things open by default.

First - what is your internet speed? Go to www.fast.com and see what both your download & upload speed are.

Its also worth checking that on your wifi but also a via a network cable plugged directly in to your router.

@EastCoastDamsel mine are very large too there are occasional issues in the office but not as bad. Downloading and working on the hard drive is something I've been considering trying but it's not ideal when others need to use the data. Even bloody moving the chrome pages between the 2 monitors can be tricky.

@DefyingGravitas I don't know of anyone tbh and it would be difficult as I'm reliant on the 2 monitor set up to actually do anything productive and try properly.

I'm just reluctant to end up with a ££££ Ultrafast contract and it doesn't solve the issue and still end up having to go in the office or sit near tears at home in frustration.

I've I mentioned just how shit ShitPoint is??

I had similar issues & I recommend 2 things:

1. get ultra fast broadband (ours is 900mbps & is fantastic & only costs £25 a month too)

1. Get a monitor that you connect to your laptop so you have 2 screens- everything is so much quicker & easier when you can see your excel on 1 screen & your other data on a separate screen.

We use sharepoint and same laptops as you and no issues (I don"t work on .massive excel sheets though)

Have done lots of ping tests for speeds over the months. It's mildly better using the ethernet cable. I only use excel in app, OMG Excel in browser is just a waste of time, goodness knows what bright spark thought it had any functionality worth having in browser.

I hated using sharepoint. Same issues as you. In the end was saving documents on my desktop, working on it, then re-saving it in sharepoint, which defeats object.

But what are your speeds?

What is the speed you are using? You can check out documents from share point while updating them, there will be a note displayed and then upload when complete. I've never had issues with share point and my internet is about 60 download

@HaleyBrookeandPeyton I have 2 identical monitors😁seriously cannot work without them!

Did ultra solve the issue altogether or just make it less infuriating.

@Oblomov24 you are more kindred spirit!!! We actually met decades ago when your boys were babies! I tried to help you rugby feed your 2nd, that was less of a challenge than using bloody Shit Point.

Does having a docking station make it worse? Without a docking station I can't have 2 monitors, keyboard & mouse.

It can't handle a blue tooth mouse at all, possibly because it was a left handed one but even so that made the issues worse.

@Ineffable23 I kind of usually need autosave because of the changes I'm making very interesting though.

It makes no difference if DH is here or not as to how well it works for me.

What line speeds are you getting? Have you checked if any updates required on laptop? Has antivirus changed as thar could cause delays.

Is it better after a restart? Anyone else with the issue? To problem solve I would go into the office, switch off network connectivity,connect via a phone and see if the issue it can be replicated. Can you do this with a colleague so you rule out the spreadsheet. However if the spreadsheet is very large, should it be database?

You say it didn't used to be this bad before "they" did an update. Who is "they"? Your work IT department? Your ISP?

You also mention you use Citrix "in part". Are you using Excel in Citrix when you're experiencing the performance problems?

What actual download/upload speeds does fast.com say you're getting?

@Ponderingwindow about 20 download and 5 upload.

Right now using MN on the laptop when I click in the box to type or post button it acts like I've right clicked and brings up a menu option. How can that be internet speed?

IT support at your workplace are discriminating against someone with a disability.

Make that very clear to them.

Much as I think Microsoft software is poor, I don't think this is on them in this instance.

Have you cleaned out your computer lately eg caches, recycle bin etc? Freeing up some space might help if it's a more local issue.

Might also be worth running a virus scan.

Does having a docking station make it worse? Without a docking station I can't have 2 monitors, keyboard & mouse.

No.

It sounds as though your company isn't using appropriate tools for the task. I wfh remotely writing software; the company does use share point for some documents but not for large complex things which multiple people may be needing to work on.

@HowardTJMoon @Pleasealexa

"They" is the IT department.

It's any excel workbook, but they are mostly all large.

Would love to have a database instead, not happening anytime soon.

It's worse when an update is needed, so they always get down straight away.

It sometimes happens in the office, it sometimes happens to other folk in the office too whilst in the office notably on Outlook but that may be because I am the heavy user of Excel.

I have been given a newly set up laptop, made no difference.

No I don't use Excel through Citrix only our Accounts Package

The fact that ShitPoint was designed as a file storage system and not how everyone I've worked for is trying to use it is a source of frustration, Especially as they have turned off the ability to bookmark folder location FML.

@Flubadubba has been tried etc. newly built "laptop" made no difference.

If the general consensus is upgrading to ultra will solve it then I'm more prepared to risk it. Just another annoying costs when 9 months ago it wasn't a regular issue. I've been working in the office pretty much full time for 3 months as it's become unbearable for my tolerance levels.