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edgsmith's avatar
edgsmith
Copper Contributor
Apr 06, 2024

keyboard keypad blocked in excel

I hope this is appropriate for this forum, so here goes.  I purchased a new HP laptop whose keyboard included a keypad.   I loaded my MS 365 and when I use Excel the keypad won't work and I have to use the top row number keys.  I can use the keypad for other programs but when I open Excel then the keypad stops working.  I haven't been able to find a way to keep the number keypad on while using a program designed for working with numbers.  Help!

excel
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Apr 07, 2024

    edgsmith 

    It sounds like there might be a setting or configuration issue causing the keypad to stop working specifically in Excel. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve this issue:

    1. Check Num Lock: Ensure that the Num Lock key on your keyboard is turned on. Sometimes, the keypad may not work in Excel if Num Lock is turned off.
    2. Excel Options: In Excel, go to the "File" tab, then select "Options." In the Excel Options dialog box, click on "Advanced" in the left pane. Scroll down to the "Editing options" section and make sure the "Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop" option is checked. Sometimes, unchecking this option can affect the functionality of the numeric keypad.
    3. Accessibility Options: Check your Windows accessibility settings to see if any options are affecting the numeric keypad. Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and ensure that the "Use numeric keypad to move mouse around the screen" option is turned off.
    4. Keyboard Driver Update: Ensure that your keyboard drivers are up to date. You can check for driver updates through the Device Manager in Windows.
    5. Test in Safe Mode: Restart your computer and try using the numeric keypad in Excel while in Safe Mode. If the keypad works in Safe Mode, it could indicate that a third-party application or add-in is causing the issue.
    6. Disable Add-ins: In Excel, go to the "File" tab, then select "Options." In the Excel Options dialog box, click on "Add-Ins" in the left pane. Disable any third-party add-ins and restart Excel to see if the issue persists.
    7. Update Excel: Make sure that your version of Microsoft 365 Excel is up to date. Microsoft regularly releases updates and patches that address bugs and improve compatibility.
    8. Check Keyboard Layout: If you're using a different keyboard layout, such as a non-US layout, it's possible that the numeric keypad functions differently. Ensure that you're using the correct keyboard layout for your region.
    9. Check Keyboard Settings: Some laptops have keyboard settings that allow you to customize the behavior of function keys and other keys. Check your laptop's keyboard settings to see if there are any options related to the numeric keypad. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

     

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    Hope this will help you.

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