How to reduce the execution time for read range activity

Hi,

how to reduce the execution time for read range activity if an excel having more data,
when running the process BOT takes more duration only to read the file, after that only to do other excel activities.

More data is more time, you will not work around that.

Some optimisation can be achieved by:

  • using the system integration variant over the application one.
  • on a fixed range, target the s[ecific range over the sheet itself

Or, but that would be more process invasive: don’t use excel to access and transfer data. NOt the answer your looking for, but instead of blindly automating the process, improving the process first before building bots is a better practice.

Try the workbook Read Range activity. It’s faster than the Excel Read Range activity.

Hello @Prasaanth_S, consider some of these points:

  1. Use the “Read Range” Activity Settings:
  • Ensure that the “Add Headers” option is set to the correct value (True or False) based on your Excel file’s structure. If your file has headers, set it to True; otherwise, set it to False.
  1. Use the “Preserve Format” Option:
  • Set the “Preserve Format” option to True only if you need to retain cell formatting. If you don’t need formatting, set it to False, as reading cell formatting can significantly slow down the process.
  1. Limit the Range:
  • If you only need to read a specific range of cells from the Excel file, specify the exact range in the “Range” property of the “Read Range” activity. Reading a smaller range can significantly reduce execution time.
  1. Use “Sheet Names” Instead of Index:
  • Specify the sheet name explicitly instead of using the sheet index. Accessing sheets by name can be faster, especially if you have multiple sheets.
  1. Optimize Your Excel File:
  • Remove any unnecessary formatting, images, or additional sheets that are not needed for your automation process. Large Excel files with extensive formatting can take longer to read.
  1. Use the “Workbook” Activities:
  • Consider using the “Excel Application Scope” and “Read Range” activities from the “Workbook” activities package. These activities can sometimes offer better performance than the standard “Excel” activities.
  1. Use a Background Process:
  • Run the Excel-related activities in the background or on a separate robot. This way, the main robot can continue with other tasks while the Excel operations are being performed.
  1. Optimize Hardware/Resources:
  • Ensure that the machine running the process has sufficient resources (CPU, RAM) to handle large Excel files efficiently. Running the process on a machine with better hardware can reduce execution time.
  1. Use Batch Processing:
  • If you have exceptionally large Excel files, consider breaking them into smaller chunks and processing them in batches. This can help distribute the load and improve execution times.
  1. Consider Compressed Files:
  • If your data allows it, consider working with compressed Excel files (e.g., .xlsx) rather than older Excel formats like .xls, as they tend to be more efficient.

Cheers! :slight_smile: