Why save changes?

[dasadler]

I have a workbook that every time I try to close it I am asked if I want to save changes. Even if I have not made changes. I can open it then immediately close it and I am prompted to save changes. Any idea why this happens?

[HansV]

Some formulas are always recalculated, even if you don't modify anything in the workbook. An example is a formula that returns the current date:

=TODAY()

Each time you open the workbook, Excel must recalculate this formula to make sure that it returns the correct date. As a result, the workbook has been changed - not by you but by an automatic recalculation. So when you close it, Excel asks whether you want to save the change(s).

[TonyE]

Further to the reply by Hans, for more details on volatile functions which will automatically recalculate when you open Excel see Volatile Excel Functions -Decision Models

[dasadler]

Okay, I understand. My workbook uses the Today() function in a number of formulas. Thank you for clearing that mystery up for me.