How To Fix Arrow Keys Not Working in Excel

Posted on Latest In Blogs

The inability to use the arrow keys in Excel can be a frustrating experience, hindering your ability to navigate through worksheets effectively. Here are some troubleshooting steps to fix the arrow keys not working in Excel:

  1. Check Scroll Lock: Ensure that Scroll Lock is not enabled. When Scroll Lock is on, pressing the arrow keys will scroll the entire window instead of moving the cell selection. To toggle Scroll Lock, press the Scroll Lock key on your keyboard. If the key is located on your keyboard’s numeric keypad, press the Fn key and the Scroll Lock key simultaneously.

  2. Reset Excel Preferences: Sometimes, corrupted user preferences can cause issues with the arrow keys. To reset Excel preferences, follow these steps: a. Close Excel if it is open. b. Open the Finder and navigate to the following location: ~/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.Excel.plist c. Drag and drop the com.microsoft.Excel.plist file to the Trash. d. Restart Excel.

  3. Update Excel: Ensure that you are running the latest version of Excel. Outdated versions may contain bugs that affect keyboard functionality. To check for updates, follow these steps: a. Open Excel. b. Click the File tab. c. In the left pane, select Account. d. Under Product Information, click the Check for Updates button.

  4. Disable Add-ins: Sometimes, third-party add-ins can interfere with Excel’s functionality. To disable add-ins, follow these steps: a. Open Excel. b. Click the File tab. c. Select Options. d. In the left pane, click Add-Ins. e. In the Manage drop-down list, select COM Add-ins. f. Click Go. g. Uncheck the boxes next to any add-ins you want to disable. h. Click OK.

  5. Repair Office Installation: If the issue persists, consider repairing your Office installation. This process can fix any corrupted files or components that might be causing the problem. To repair Office, follow these steps: a. Open the Control Panel. b. Click Programs and Features. c. Select Microsoft Office 365 or your specific Office version. d. Click Change. e. Select Online Repair. f. Click Repair.

  6. Reinstall Excel: As a last resort, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling Excel. This will remove any corrupted files or settings that might be causing the issue.

If none of these steps resolve the problem, it is advisable to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

Leave a Reply