Forum Discussion
Excel Formula Blocking adjacent cels. Very Frustrating.
So I've been using Excel since it was invented. I am far from an expert but I use basic formulas all the time. I am using Office 2016 but only started using it a couple years ago when my CD Roms of an older version wouldn't work in Windows 10.
I use the mouse whenever possible to create formulas but as you can see below the cels on either side of the formula are blocked out. If I want to use those cels as part of the formula I have to manually type them in. Before switching to 2016 I never had a problem. I could use the mouse to make formulas in adjacent cels no problem.
I'm hoping it is a setting. I've search for articles, looked through the options pages and I can't find a solution. Is there a solution I pray? What can I do to stop Excel Formula from blocking out adjacent cels?
6 Replies
- Not sure how that helps as the issue occurs as soon as I input formula. As you can see from scrnshot above the cel on top of the formula is covered up. Thx.
shipdriver1540 - i know exactly what you mean, and how frustrating it is. Spreadsheets and formulas can be simple, but this results in increased time to enter. i usually select and adjacent cell and then correct the formula once it is entered
Try editing the formula in the formula bar instead of in the cell itself.
If you prefer editing in-cell. you can probably use the arrow keys to select a cell to the left or right of the cell with the formula.
- Thanks for replying. I can get the formula done by typing in the cel or formula bar. and thats what I have been doing (under protest). My goal is to just use the mouse like I did for lotsa years until I had to upgrade to Office 2016.
The arrow idea sounds cool but I tried it and it highlighted a random cel a few rows up. I used the arrows on the number pad right side of keyboard plus I tried the arrows to left of keypad, same result. Was worth a try though.It's happening again, aaagggh. Here is another example. I need to use the mouse to highlight the figure in the cel covered up by "SUM(number1...etc). With Office Professional 2000 this was never a problem. Somehow MS decided it was an improvement to take that capability away from us. They figured it's an improvement to figure out what cel that it is, then type a bunch of formula stuff.
I use alot of formulas this constantly frustrates me. It's not the most terrible thing to figure out what cel I need then go type a bunch of stuff. If I had never done it the easier way I wouldn't care. But to me it is just ludacris that an improvement (or at least a newer version) comes along and things become more difficult.
