Problem adding input to cell

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

PghPatti - 28 Jun 2005 10:19 GMT

I've had Excel files for several years and never had this problem - what
did I do??? All of a sudden when I try to click in a cell it won't let
me do anything - add or change and data . The only place I'm able to
change or add data is in text boxes that are already there.

Signature

PghPatti

Reply to this Message

Dave Peterson - 28 Jun 2005 13:16 GMT

Do you get a popup message back?

Does it say you're trying to change a cell on a protected sheet?

If yes, you'll have to unprotect the worksheet
(tools|Protection|unprotect sheet)

If no, you might want to post some additional info.

> I've had Excel files for several years and never had this problem - what
> did I do??? All of a sudden when I try to click in a cell it won't let
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> PghPatti's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php?action=getinfo&userid=24706
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=382734

Signature

Dave Peterson

Reply to this Message

PghPatti - 29 Jun 2005 01:31 GMT

No I get no pop-ups or any sort of message. I don't know what other
information I might be able to give you. Two of the files I've tried to
work in is my little payroll that I do in Excel - that I've been using
for several years and never had a problem with. I go into it the same
as I normally do and it just won't let me add any input at all.

Then I do a monthly schedule in a calendar in Power Point and the same
thing happens.

I'm totally clueless. Any suggestions. I have a large hard drive and
plenty of room and LOTS of memory. I'm running Windows XP on a
relatively new computer.

Thanks, Pat

Signature

PghPatti

Reply to this Message

PghPatti - 29 Jun 2005 01:50 GMT

OOOPS - I meant to say I do a monthly calender in "Excel" also - not
PowerPoint - and the same thing happens.

I keep trying to click in any cell and nothing happens.

Again, Pat

Signature

PghPatti

Reply to this Message

Dave Peterson - 29 Jun 2005 02:43 GMT

I think it's time for some detective work.

Have you tried swapping mouses--eliminate a hardware problem?

On some keyboards, there's a properties button.

Mine is on the right hand side of the spacebar.

It's spacebar, altkey, flying windows, properties, ctrl.

If I select a cell (using the arrow keys), I can hit the properties button to
see the rightclick menu.

Can you try the same?

=========

Can you open the workbook on a different pc and does it behave ok there?

If you start excel in safe mode
close excel
windows start button|Run
Excel /safe
(and hit enter)

File|open your workbook

Does it work there?

> OOOPS - I meant to say I do a monthly calender in "Excel" also - not
> PowerPoint - and the same thing happens.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> PghPatti's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php?action=getinfo&userid=24706
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=382734

Signature

Dave Peterson

Reply to this Message

PghPatti - 30 Jun 2005 04:54 GMT

Thanks so much for you efforts in helping me Dave.

Ok - I did all the suggestions you made - the results:

Yes, I transferred my file to my notebook and - WaLa - it opened and I
was able to work in it with no problem.

Then I used the "properties" key and yes, I was able to use the right
arrow key and the properties popped up when I used the key on the
keyboard.

Then I opened it in safe mode as you told me and was really surprised -
I was able to work in it.

Ok - so now I closed it and went back to opening it the way I normally
do - and :( it doesn't open.

So - what's the scoop. I've never opened a program that way before -
why was I able to work in it in safe mode.

I can't wait for the private eye to tell me what my problem is. LOL!!!

Again - thanks so much for your time.

PghPatti (as in Pittsburgh) :)

Signature

PghPatti

Reply to this Message

Dave Peterson - 30 Jun 2005 12:49 GMT

Opening excel in safe mode means that it won't load addins or allow macros to be
run.

Since it opens ok on another pc, I wouldn't guess that the problem is in the
workbook. But maybe the problem is in a workbook that gets loaded each time you
start excel.

Next time you start excel, go into Tools|Addins and uncheck all the options
(keep track of which were checked).

Also, move all the files out of your XLStart folder
(use windows start button|Search to find that folder).

Then restart excel and test it out.

If it works ok, then start adding things back one at a time. And restart excel
after each time.

When you find the thing that's causing the trouble, you have to determine what
it is and if it can be fixed.

(If it's an in-house project, find that developer and show him/her what's
happening.)

Chip Pearson has some notes on how to diagnose startup errors at:
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/StartupErrors.htm

And Jan Karel Pieterse has more notes at:
http://www.jkp-ads.com/Articles/StartupProblems.htm

> Thanks so much for you efforts in helping me Dave.
>
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> PghPatti's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php?action=getinfo&userid=24706
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=382734

Signature

Dave Peterson

Reply to this Message