Excel 2007 highlights multiple cells when trying to select one.
 

I have run in to an odd problem that is difficult to duplicate. When working
in excel, as you click between different cells, it randomly selects multiple
cells. For example, if I click on an individual cell it highlights that cell
plus two to the right (or two to the top/bottom). Tried several solutions
posted on the web but nothing seems to resolve the root of the problem.

Tried:

1. Try tapping the wheel of scroll mouse, if applicable.
2. Try changing the page view from Page Layout to any other View option:
View tab Normal
3. Close the spreadsheet, open again and see if behavior still exists.
4. Close Excel, open the spreadsheet and see if behavior still exists.
5. If cell still selects multiple cells, up keyboard up/down/left/right
arrows to navigate away and then back to cell, then click in the formula bar
to edit
6. If it says EXT or Extend Selection in the bottom left corner of Excel,
then it is in Extended mode - try tapping the F8 key once
7. Try zooming out then clicking the cell selection again: View tab Zoom
Edit % in Custom field Click OK

It is also impossible to €œmake this happen€�. It usually occurs randomly.

Does MS recognize this as a problem?

Answer: Excel 2007 highlights multiple cells when trying to select one.
 

Hi there! I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing this issue in Excel 2007. This can be frustrating, but I'll do my best to help you out.

First, it's important to note that Microsoft does not officially recognize this as a problem. However, it's possible that it could be caused by a glitch or bug in the software.

Here are a few additional steps you can try to resolve the issue:

1. Check your keyboard: Sometimes, this issue can be caused by a stuck key on your keyboard. Make sure that none of your keys are stuck or pressed down.
   
2. Check your mouse: If you're using a mouse with a scroll wheel, try clicking the scroll wheel to see if that resolves the issue. You can also try using a different mouse to see if that makes a difference.
   
3. Check your settings: Go to the Excel Options menu (click the Office button in the top left corner of the screen, then click Excel Options) and click on the Advanced tab. Look for the "Allow editing directly in cells" option and make sure it is checked. If it's not checked, try checking it and see if that resolves the issue.
   
4. Try repairing or reinstalling Excel: If none of the above steps work, it's possible that there is a problem with your Excel installation. Try repairing or reinstalling Excel to see if that resolves the issue.

I hope these steps help you resolve the issue! Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Excel 2007 highlights multiple cells when trying to select one.
 

Hi,

You seem to have tried everything except considering a faulty keyboard. If a
shift key is sticking it will give this problem.

A few well aimed slaps on the back of the keyboard has been known to
dislodge dead animals etc.

Mike

"ladaigle" wrote:

I have run in to an odd problem that is difficult to duplicate. When working
in excel, as you click between different cells, it randomly selects multiple
cells. For example, if I click on an individual cell it highlights that cell
plus two to the right (or two to the top/bottom). Tried several solutions
posted on the web but nothing seems to resolve the root of the problem.

Tried:

1. Try tapping the wheel of scroll mouse, if applicable.
2. Try changing the page view from Page Layout to any other View option:
View tab Normal
3. Close the spreadsheet, open again and see if behavior still exists.
4. Close Excel, open the spreadsheet and see if behavior still exists.
5. If cell still selects multiple cells, up keyboard up/down/left/right
arrows to navigate away and then back to cell, then click in the formula bar
to edit
6. If it says EXT or Extend Selection in the bottom left corner of Excel,
then it is in Extended mode - try tapping the F8 key once
7. Try zooming out then clicking the cell selection again: View tab Zoom
Edit % in Custom field Click OK

It is also impossible to €œmake this happen€�. It usually occurs randomly.

Does MS recognize this as a problem?

Excel 2007 highlights multiple cells when trying to select one
 

I have also come across this problem (my keyboard is almost brand new, when I
click on a cell it is selecting that cell plus a couple above and a couple
below so 5 cells altogether.

Did a google search on it and the only tip I found that sometimes solves it
is to click in the cell very quickly. Once I've done this once the problem
seems to away for awhile but it has come back later.


"Mike H" wrote:

Hi,

You seem to have tried everything except considering a faulty keyboard. If a
shift key is sticking it will give this problem.

A few well aimed slaps on the back of the keyboard has been known to
dislodge dead animals etc.

Mike

"ladaigle" wrote:

I have run in to an odd problem that is difficult to duplicate. When working
in excel, as you click between different cells, it randomly selects multiple
cells. For example, if I click on an individual cell it highlights that cell
plus two to the right (or two to the top/bottom). Tried several solutions
posted on the web but nothing seems to resolve the root of the problem.

Tried:

1. Try tapping the wheel of scroll mouse, if applicable.
2. Try changing the page view from Page Layout to any other View option:
View tab Normal
3. Close the spreadsheet, open again and see if behavior still exists.
4. Close Excel, open the spreadsheet and see if behavior still exists.
5. If cell still selects multiple cells, up keyboard up/down/left/right
arrows to navigate away and then back to cell, then click in the formula bar
to edit
6. If it says EXT or Extend Selection in the bottom left corner of Excel,
then it is in Extended mode - try tapping the F8 key once
7. Try zooming out then clicking the cell selection again: View tab Zoom
Edit % in Custom field Click OK

It is also impossible to €œmake this happen€�. It usually occurs randomly.

Does MS recognize this as a problem?

Excel 2007 highlights multiple cells when trying to select one
 

Same problem here. This is an obvious bug based upon all of the other
Internet posts I have read. I've yet to find a Microsoft supported fix.

Excel 2007 highlights multiple cells when trying to select one
 

There has been no fix to date.

Just keep changing the Zoom level.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:20:04 -0800, DBADave
wrote:

Same problem here. This is an obvious bug based upon all of the other
Internet posts I have read. I've yet to find a Microsoft supported fix.

Excel 2007 highlights multiple cells when trying to select one.
 

At the bottom of your Excel Sheet you may find a menu bar that starts to your
left with the word "Ready." Look to the far right on the same bar and you
will see three small icons (1 = normal; 2 = page layout; 3 = page break
view). To correct the problem, make sure that you are on "normal." Your
problem will go away. This solution is, however, spreadsheet related and not
universal for the program, so you may have to correct each spreadsheet where
the problem exists.

"ladaigle" wrote:

I have run in to an odd problem that is difficult to duplicate. When working
in excel, as you click between different cells, it randomly selects multiple
cells. For example, if I click on an individual cell it highlights that cell
plus two to the right (or two to the top/bottom). Tried several solutions
posted on the web but nothing seems to resolve the root of the problem.

Tried:

1. Try tapping the wheel of scroll mouse, if applicable.
2. Try changing the page view from Page Layout to any other View option:
View tab Normal
3. Close the spreadsheet, open again and see if behavior still exists.
4. Close Excel, open the spreadsheet and see if behavior still exists.
5. If cell still selects multiple cells, up keyboard up/down/left/right
arrows to navigate away and then back to cell, then click in the formula bar
to edit
6. If it says EXT or Extend Selection in the bottom left corner of Excel,
then it is in Extended mode - try tapping the F8 key once
7. Try zooming out then clicking the cell selection again: View tab Zoom
Edit % in Custom field Click OK

It is also impossible to €œmake this happen€�. It usually occurs randomly.

Does MS recognize this as a problem?

I'm able to replicate this problem identically. Change page orientation to landscape, view to layout, zoom to 90% - click on any cell and it highlights multiple. Works every time.

Easiest fix is to either:

A) Change the view to either Page Break or Normal
B) Change Zoom level - I've found that you need to go atleast 3%+/- to solve it (i.e. 93% or 87%)

I researched this some years back but can't quite remember the exact reason (it has something to do with the mini processor in the keyboard or something). Basically the keyboard gets itself all confused and thinks that the shift button is being held down. It is more prevalent when you're in Excel for some reason, but can happen in any application.

To fix it, tap each of your Shift, Ctrl and Alt buttons one at a time and it should come right.