WPS Calculation Options on Windows: Introduction

Last updated:July 14, 2026

WPS Calculation Options helps you control automatic recalculation, manual recalculation, and automatic recalculation except for data tables; this feature includes 3 core tasks, with 3 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

MetricValueNotes
Core tasks3Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership3Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items0Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index

About This Feature

Overview

Calculation Options is a formula calculation control feature in WPS Spreadsheet for Windows. It helps you switch how formulas update under different workloads, so you can keep results updating during everyday editing or reduce waiting time in large workbooks by switching to manual recalculation.

Core tasks include:

  • Set Automatic calculation so formula results update after data changes.
  • Set Manual calculation so formulas do not recalculate immediately and can be updated with F9 or Shift+F9.
  • Set Automatic Except for Data Tables so regular formulas update automatically while data tables do not recalculate automatically.

This feature is useful for budgets, summary sheets, statistical tables, and large workbooks with many formulas.

System Requirements

ItemRequirement
Operating systemA Windows device that can run WPS Office
App versionIt is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office
NetworkNo mandatory internet connection is required for local calculation controls
OtherOpen a worksheet that contains formulas in WPS Spreadsheet

Download & Installation

Before using Calculation Options, install the WPS Office desktop app for Windows and open a workbook in WPS Spreadsheet.

ItemDetails
Official downloadWPS Office Free Download
Check after installationLaunch WPS Office, open a spreadsheet file, and confirm that the Calculation Options entry is available on the Formulas tab

Source: WPS Download Center

Compare with Alternatives

DimensionWPSMicrosoftGoogleNotionAdobe
Capability SummaryProvides Calculation Options on the Formulas tab, including Automatic, Manual, and Automatic Except for Data Tables. In manual mode, you can recalculate with F9 and Shift+F9.Excel provides Automatic, Automatic Except for Data Tables, and Manual calculation options, along with manual recalculation shortcuts such as F9 and Shift+F9.Google Sheets lets you configure recalculation behavior and iterative calculation in spreadsheet settings.Notion formulas work on database properties and functions, but they do not provide workbook-level spreadsheet calculation mode switching.Acrobat supports calculated PDF form fields such as sum, product, average, minimum, and maximum, but this is form-field calculation rather than workbook-level spreadsheet recalculation control.
WPS AdvantagesAdvantage: WPS keeps automatic, manual, and data-table-excluded recalculation controls in one entry point, which is practical for switching between editing speed and formula update control in desktop spreadsheets.Compared with WPS: Excel offers broader workbook calculation controls, but its settings are oriented to Excel workbook management rather than a WPS Spreadsheet workflow.Compared with WPS: Google Sheets supports recalculation settings, but the experience is centered on web spreadsheet settings instead of desktop-style local recalculation shortcuts.Compared with WPS: Notion is better suited to database property logic and automation than worksheet-level recalculation control.Compared with WPS: Acrobat calculation tools are designed for PDF forms, not for editing and recalculating large spreadsheet models.
Official SourceExcel formula recalculationGoogle Sheets calculation settingsNotion formulasAcrobat form field calculations

Overall Conclusion
If you mainly work with desktop spreadsheets and need a direct way to balance editing speed with formula updates, WPS Calculation Options provides a clear control path. Microsoft, Google, Notion, and Adobe each support related calculation scenarios, but their products focus on different workflows such as workbook administration, web spreadsheets, databases, or PDF forms.

Use Cases

No.ScenarioSuitable ForMain NeedHow Calculation Options Helps
1Everyday formula editingGeneral office usersSee updated results right after changing dataUse Automatic calculation to keep formulas updated
2Large workbook editingFinance and data usersReduce delays while editing many formulasSwitch to Manual calculation and recalculate later
3Quick review of the current worksheetMulti-sheet usersRefresh only the active worksheetUse Shift+F9 in manual mode
4Full workbook refreshUsers with complex workbooksUpdate all formulas at onceUse F9 in manual mode
5Separate handling for data tablesAdvanced spreadsheet usersAvoid frequent automatic recalculation in data tablesUse Automatic Except for Data Tables

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

CapabilityFreeWPS Premium
Access to Calculation OptionsAvailableAvailable
Automatic and manual calculation modesAvailableAvailable
Basic spreadsheet editingAvailableAvailable
Advanced PDF tools, more templates, and added office benefitsPartially limitedMore benefits available
Cloud storage1 GB20 GB

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

ScenarioRecommended PlanWhy
You only need Calculation Options to manage formula recalculationFreeThis feature itself is available without membership
You also need more cloud storage, templates, or added office benefitsWPS PremiumA better fit when your work goes beyond spreadsheet recalculation controls

How to Subscribe

Source: WPS Office pricing page