Overview
After an ExtendInsights update that includes changes to custom Excel functions, some users may continue to see the previous function definitions. This occurs because Microsoft Excel caches custom function metadata (functions.json) and may not immediately download the latest version.
This article explains how to refresh the add-in so Excel loads the updated custom functions.
Symptoms
You may experience one or more of the following:
Newly released ExtendInsights functions are unavailable.
Existing custom functions do not behave as expected after an update.
Formulas continue using older function definitions.
Formula recalculation does not reflect the latest add-in version.
Why This Happens
ExtendInsights custom functions are defined in a metadata file called functions.json.
Microsoft Excel caches this file to improve performance. As a result, Excel may continue using the cached version for up to 24 hours, even after the latest version of the add-in has been published.
This is expected Microsoft Excel behavior and is not an ExtendInsights defect.
While restarting Excel and waiting for the cache to expire may eventually resolve the issue, uninstalling and reinstalling the add-in forces Excel to download the latest metadata immediately.
How to Resolve the Issue
Complete the following steps in order.
End Users
Clear the ExtendInsights cache from within the add-in (if available).
Sign out of the ExtendInsights add-in. Go to Menu > Sign Out.
Uninstall the ExtendInsights add-in from Office Add-ins / Microsoft AppSource.
Close Excel completely.
Ensure all Excel windows are closed before continuing.
Reopen Excel and open your workbook.
Reinstall ExtendInsights from Office Add-ins.
Sign in to the add-in.
Refresh your workbook so formulas recalculate using the latest function definitions.
➡️ For Full Reference Guide:
Verification
The issue is resolved when:
The ExtendInsights add-in has been successfully reinstalled.
You can sign in without errors.
The latest custom functions are available.
Existing formulas recalculate successfully after refreshing the workbook.
Notes
Excel may automatically refresh its cache after approximately 24 hours, but reinstalling the add-in is typically much faster.
Closing and reopening Excel is required to ensure cached metadata is released.
This behavior is controlled by Microsoft Excel and is expected whenever custom function metadata changes.
See Also
Microsoft Documentation
Need Help?
Before contacting Support, try searching:
If you still need assistance:
💬 Use in-app chat (bottom-right of the support site)
✉️ Email cloudextend-support@celigo.com
Include the following information:
The ExtendInsights application you installed
Your Excel version
Whether the add-in was installed by you or deployed by an administrator
A screenshot of the behavior or error message