Forum Discussion
Excel will not let me click into cells or incorrect cell is selected randomly
Hi,
This is an ongoing issue that I've been having for years across platforms, computers, versions of excel and workbooks.
Basicially, one of two things happen:
1-I click on a cell but nothing happens, the cell is not selected
2-I click on a cell but the wrong cell is selected (Example: Click on cell B2 but excel will select C2)
This will happen as frequently as a few times a day (across multiple workbooks) to every month (again, across multiple workbooks)
In ALL cases cells are NOT protected
Saving the workbook, closing then restarting excel fixes the problem.
As I mentioned before, this has been ongoing for years now across multiple computers, workbooks, operating systems. All systems and versions of excel were fully up to date at the time of the error. Because this is happening over several different workbooks, I do not belive it is a workbook issue (especially when it doesn't happen 100% of the time to ANY workbook)
Systems used:
Macbook Pro (circa 2015), OS up to date - No longer have this computer
Windows 8 (again, old computer)
Windows 10 (old computer
Windows 11 (2 different computers, currently owned)
I have always kept excel and the OS fully up to date and I'm currently using the most recent version of Windows and Excel.
In all cases, I have used built in trackpad and a 3 different wireless mice (with full batteries). Still randomly occurs.
It's really just an annoyance and like I mentioned before, saving the workbook and restarting excel solves the issue... until next time (which could be later that day or a few weeks...It's very random.)
- I've had the same issue. It also seems to be related to scrolling to quit working (like scroll-lock is on). It seems to happen with hidden columns and freeze panes.
I can't believe MSoft employees haven't run into this.- I've found for me the easiest "workaround" is to click on another open window and back into excel.
Tried all the usual stuff to fix it (uninstall and reinstall excel, back to defaults, etc. Even went so far as to reinstall windows and eventually purchased a new computer (not as a resolution...it was time)) - For sure they'll know about it outside of this forum. Staggering that they think it's acceptable to leave it unfixed; I'm about to ensure a full laptop rebuild to try to solve the issue.
Spent a few hours today with our I.T. guys, they couldn't solve Microsoft's bug so issued me a new laptop.
After spending some time working with the new unit, I find your Excel bug WORSE than before.
I have wasted hours on this. I am losing productivity. I am tired of your disgusting apathy towards paying customers.
SORT THIS ISSUE OUT IMMEDIATELY.
Hi,
I managed to capture a video snip of this today.
Hopefully it's obvious where I was clicking, what cell is highlighted vs what is edited.
At the same time I was trying to type D405 into the cell, backspace was playing up also (related?)
- Thanks for this, a good demo of the issue. MS are trying to claim it's an obscure problem, difficult to replicate, but that's not an acceptable response given the number of users affected. It's their job to replicate and fix the issue, they're the ones selling the app and they designed and maintain it. I remain utterly astonished this bug has been allowed to fester unfixed for this long. It's causing me disruption and lost productivity every single day, plus there is continual risk of not catching an error caused by it.
A quirk I found is that selection of cells or event specifically selected cell content will "sometimes" not work correctly. It seems, at least in my experience, due to the fact that I utilize multiple screens. If I work in the excel file on the "primary" monitor, I have no issues, but if I am working on excel in an "extended" monitor, then the issue appears. And FYI, I use a Logi MX Mechanical keyboard and logi M720 mouse all running on a laptop (closed lid) with a touchpad. I do disable the touchpad when an external mouse is attached. Hope this helps someone.
- Thanks for this. As it happens, I started an Excel (ironically) log today, to track occurrences and try to find a cause. And tonight, I started a test using the laptop on its own, which I will continue tomorrow. I need the big screen / dual screens for my work, but at least if we prove this is a factor, then we can advise these MS clowns about it.
So I'm back, having not had this issue for ages, this week I have had nothing but this cell issue every day on different sheets. I have to used the directional pad to get to the cell I want to select as by using the mouse, it jumps to the cell next to. Having said that, I do use two monitors and I wonder if you are on to something there??
I have the same problem. Happens across all my excel files. It is not a problem when I first open the file but as I work on it for a bit the problem arises.
Only solution I have found is to close and re open the file but then the same problem can happen a few minutes later.
Very annoying and look forward to a solution.
From reading comments of users here I conclude (1) I have the same problem and have tried most of the advice given so far without having eliminted the problem (2) I see this going on for over a year to people who seem to have more relevant knowledge and experience than I do (3) I must conclude it is unlikely I will find a solution short term
I need to work for a living and don't have time for this, so my plea for help from you all is:
please advise on best alternative to Microsoft Office, hopefully something allowing me to produce new documents that other Microsoft OFFICE users can open and work with, and with which I can open all my existing MS documents, not only EXCEL but WORD, POWERPOINT etc
Thank you
- Just started looking at the thread in 2022 and thought I was too late to contribute. Not the case it seems.
I think the issue for me is more frequent when I'm using my Extended monitor as well.
Just wanted to add my workaround.
I accept wherever it wrongly sends me when I click, then I move to the cell I actually want with my arrow keys.
- Further testing this side (which Microsoft should be doing):
- When issue manifests on extended monitor, the bug remains in place if the Excel is dragged to a 2nd monitor or the laptop's own monitor.
- After dragging to the laptop's own monitor and disconnecting the USB-C dock, so no monitors are connected, the issue disappears. Issue clearly correlated with use of extended monitor(s).
This is the most ridiculous, disgraceful example of apathetic customer support I've witnessed in my 30 years of using MS products.
The issue should be fixed immediately, and I believe users have a case to take Microsoft to court to reclaim costs for lost productivity, and for the general stress caused and effect on users' personal time.Hi,
we faced the same annoying issue and after doing some tests I found that the issue seems to be related to scrolling the mouse wheel.
When you scroll the file contents and click to select a specified cell, the highlighted cell is different from the edited cell. For what I observed the offset between the highlighted cell and edited cell is always +/- the value you set in the number of lines to scroll with mouse whell (Settings - Devices -> Mouse -> Choose how many lines to scroll each time).
I tried with some differente mouse but the situation don't change.
I hope this information can help you to catch the bug.
Please Microsoft fix this issue as soon as possibile beceause is very annoying. Thanks
- Hi, this is annoying me too. A quick way to get "back to normal" is to press:
(1) Scroll Lock (2) Up Arrow (3) Scroll Lock (4) Down Arrow
This can be done really quickly but this doesn't permanently fix the issue obviously.
Took me ages to work this out 🙂- Thanks for the suggestion. I have my own 'fix', not sure if it works for everyone, but when the issue happens I simply scroll up/down using touchpad swipe. Doing it quite widely and rapidly a few times seems to 'shake' it back to normal, as utterly ridiculous as this is.
- This works for me to fix the issue temporarily.
If the cell selection issue happens, use the two-finger swipe on the trackpad - either from left to right, or from top to bottom, and let go.
This is not a permanent fix but it will take care of the issue without having to close and reopen the file.
Christoff456 Great thanks, I'll give that ago as it's been doing it a lot to me today! it's so random, i can go for days an it's fine.
[Scroll Lock, Up arrow, Scroll Lock, Down Arrow]
This helped fix my issue of not being able to edit Series Names and values from charts.It's like entering a nintendo code!
- Thanks for the information. I use the laptop's keyboard with a marble mouse, with two external monitors. I still find the easiest way to temporarily undo this disgraceful bug is to quickly scroll the touchpad up and down a few times.
MICROSOFT: We've been asked to submit the issue to the Feedback Hub, which it has been, a long, long time ago. What are you doing about this disgusting service level?
According to what has been written, edit mode might be activated.
But without a file (without sensitive data) it is difficult to make assumptions, especially in this case where it goes through many Excel versions.
If it is not, many questions arise beforehand.
Does it only happen in this file?
Does this file have macros?
Are add inns enabled?
Have all updates been carried out?
Has an Office repair been performed?Anyway, hope this information helped you a bit.
I know I don't know anything (Socrates)
- Thanks for the suggestions.
Regarding files, it does not happen to every file and files that it does happen to it doesn't happen every time.
Next time I do experience this issue I'll check to see if it's in exit mode or not. In the meantime, I'll do an office repair and hope it's a non issue going forward.
To your specific questions:
*Random files at random times. I have a couple sheets I use VERY often and those are the only files I noticed the issue more than once. And yep, sensitive information 😉
*Usually no macros (I only open one file with any regularity with macros. Oddly I'm not sure I had the click issue with that file.)
*No add INS enabled
*Always updated (Windows and Office apps as well as any drivers, etc.)
Hi CPeterson710
Please find below the thread for the same error that you’re facing:
https://www.excelforum.com/excel-general/1276123-excel-wont-let-me-click-on-the-cell-i-want.html
Thanks,
Suyash
The function row that used to show up automatically in previous Excel versions appears not to be in MS365. I type and edit text quite frequently in Excel. I am unable to click text in a cell to correct a typo. This is incredibly frustrating and step in the wrong direction in my opinion.
