How to Extend the Microsoft Excel Record Limit

Open a New Worksheet
1. Open Excel and the worksheet you have hit your record limit on.
2. Click on the 'Insert Worksheet' button located at the bottom of the Excel workbook. The button looks like a folder with a yellow star and is usually located at the end of the worksheet tabs. You can also press the 'Shift' key plus 'F11.' If you do not have function keys, you can also right click on a worksheet tab and click 'Insert.' Select 'Worksheet' to add another worksheet to your book.
3. Save your workbook and begin doing computations in your new worksheet.
Upgrade to Excel 2007 or 2010
4. Navigate to the Microsoft Office website and download a newer version of Microsoft Office to increase the Excel record limit. You can also purchase a stand-alone version of Excel 2007 or 2010.
5. Install the newer version of Excel on your computer.
6. Open your older workbooks in the newer version of the program. Microsoft products are backwards compatible so you can simply open Excel worksheets from 97 to 2003 in a newer version to take advantage of the larger record limit.
Migrate to a Database Program
7. Download and install a database program such as OpenOffice's Base or Oracle's MySQL, or purchase Microsoft Access.
8. Open the database program and set up a blank database.
9. Import the Excel workbooks or worksheets into the database. Expand your database with the records you need.