Odd Arrow Key Behavior

Summary: Press the up or down arrow keys, and you expect Excel to change which cell is selected. If this doesn't occur on your worksheet, it could be due to a simple inadvertent keypress on the keyboard. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

If you are ever using Excel and the arrow keys don't work like you think they should, it could be because of the Scroll Lock key. Normally, when you press an arrow key, Excel moves the cell highlight in the direction of the key you pressed. If the Scroll Lock key has been activated, however, Excel doesn't move the cell highlight, it instead moves the worksheet, changing what is displayed on the screen.

To solve this odd behavior, simply press on the Scroll Lock key another time. The arrow keys should again behave as you expect them to.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2072) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Odd Arrow Key Behavior