hmmm - had this working - so as long as the activesheet has focus - It keeps updating. However if I switch to i.e. my email and then come back to xl2007 - it appears to have hung up (statusbar does not update) - however if I let it continue - it does finish. Dont waste time on it - just one of Excels quirks. I think it manages memory very badly. But I do appreciate all the help. Even if I am slow at answering at times.