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HoussemKhe's avatar
HoussemKhe
Copper Contributor
Apr 20, 2026

Weird bug in Excel 2024 LTSC when switching sheet direction (RTL issue)

Hey everyone, I ran into a strange bug in Excel 2024 Professional Plus LTSC (running Windows 11 25H2).
Whenever I open a new workbook and change the sheet direction from Left-to-Right to Right-to-Left, I can’t properly select cells anymore.

Clicking on any cell, row, or column doesn’t show the selection border — it’s like Excel doesn’t highlight anything. I have to click multiple times to make it respond.

https://i.imgur.com/nAeqnRh.mp4

This only happens after changing the direction. If I keep it Left-to-Right, everything works fine.
I tried reinstalling and even tested Excel 2021, and the issue doesn’t exist there.

Seems like a bug specific to the 2024 LTSC version. Has anyone else seen this or found a workaround?

EDIT: I've already filled a bug report at the MS Feedback Portal
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/81911365-f23c-f111-9a91-7c1e52d4091c

excel

1 Reply

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Platinum Contributor
    Apr 22, 2026

    Several users have reported experiencing this issue, and there is an open feedback ticket (ID: 81911365-f23c-f111-9a91-7c1e52d4091c). However, Microsoft has not yet officially confirmed or responded to this report.

    Workarounds (Until Microsoft Patches It)

    Since reinstalling doesn’t help, try these temporary solutions:

     1. Avoid changing sheet direction
    Keep workbooks in LTR mode if RTL is not strictly required for your data layout.

     2. Use keyboard shortcuts for selection

    • Ctrl + Space → select entire column
    • Shift + Space → select entire row
    • Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keys → extend selection
      The selection border may still be invisible, but the selection is active.

     3. Toggle zoom level
    Press Ctrl + scroll wheel to zoom in/out by one step — sometimes this forces a redraw of the selection border.

     4. Switch to Excel 2021 for RTL-heavy work (if licensing allows), as the issue does not exist there.

     5. Use “New Window” feature

    • Go to View > New Window
    • Work in the duplicate window — some users report selection highlighting works better there (though it’s not a perfect fix).

     

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

    Hope this will help you.