How to Fix Arrow Keys Not Working in Excel: Quick and Easy Solutions
Your Arrow Keys, Not Working in Excel, can make navigating a large workbook frustrating. Excel sheets can contain thousands of rows and columns, and while the address bar lets you jump directly to a specific cell, using the arrow keys is often the easiest way to move around. Here are some quick and easy solutions to get your arrow keys working again and streamline your navigation.
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5 Methods to Fix Arrow Keys Not Working in Excel
At this point, every Excel-master should know that you can navigate and compute your way through pretty much any sheet using just your keyboard. As far as navigation is concerned, the set of four arrow keys can be used to quickly maneuver your way between cells. If you have a number pad on your laptop keyboard or an external keyboard, you can also use the arrow keys on it to navigate a workbook.
However, if you have recently found yourself clicking to no avail and wondering “why are my arrow keys not working in Excel?” Keep reading to Ctrl+Z those issues away. Find handy troubleshooting tips to resolve the issue of arrow keys not working in Excel and get your sheet back into Excel-lent shape.
1. Turn off scroll lock
Scroll lock, when turned on, can interfere with the navigation function of the arrow keys. To turn scroll lock off, look for the Scroll Lock key on the keyboard and press it. On the Apple Extended Keyboard, press F14. Pro tip: if that key exists on your keyboard, but there is no Fn key, simply press Shift + F14 to toggle Scroll Lock off.
You may need to press the Fn key, along with the Scroll Lock key to disable scroll lock, depending on your keyboard model.
To check if you’ve turned it off, open the Excel Workbook and look at the bottom bar. The ‘Scroll lock’ option should NOT be showing.
2. Enable Sticky Keys
This fix works for any keyboard, but it will likely be the definitive solution if you’re working with the arrow keys on your number pad. For a quick fix on Windows or Mac, press Shift five times to toggle Sticky Keys on (or off).
You can also follow this process on Windows:
- Open Windows Control Panel.
- Go to Ease of access.
- Search for the Change how your keyboard works option and then select it.
- Enable Turn on Sticky Keys.
3. Change Excel settings
In Excel, arrow keys not working may be caused by disabled support for arrow keys. Fortunately, this can be turned off (though it’s normally on by default).
- Open Excel’s File > Options menu.
- Select the Advanced tab.
- Ensure that the box next to “Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop” is ticked.
4. Press Enter or Esc
The formula bar, positioned directly above the cells, is one of the most common ways to can enter data into Excel. If this box is selected, your arrow keys will only work within that box. This can make it seem like the arrow keys are not working in Excel when, really, they’re just not working where you want them to.
In this case, you can press the Enter key to submit the formula and re-enable the arrow keys in the cells. Or, press Esc to cancel the current operation, and refocus the mouse on the cells.
5. Wait a few more moments
We know it’s not ideal, but patience does sometimes work wonders. Some Excel formulas can be very complex. As a result, they take a long time to complete and may sow down your entire system. There’s not much you can do, but to wait for the computing process to run its course. If it’s taking an extra-long time, consider closing Excel and reopening it. This will stop the calculations and provide a new opportunity to confirm whether that was why the arrow keys were not working.
Fixing Arrow Key Issues in Excel: Final Thoughts
It’s easy to get stuck in an Excel spreadsheet. Fortunately, there are also easy ways to find your way out, even when your arrow keys are not playing along. Whether you turn off Scroll Lock, turn on Sticky Keys or simply wait for a few extra seconds, you should be able to get back to work without much hassle when your arrow keys are not working in Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I enable the cursor in Excel? If Scroll Lock has been enabled, simply press the Scroll Lock key on your keyboard to enable it again. This should bring back your cursor. Alternatively, ensure you’re in the correct cell by clicking it.
- Can you still use the arrow key function without arrow keys on your keyboard? Some third-party software can simulate the same functions as the arrow keys. Apps like Microsoft PowerToys and AutoHotkey let you pick different keys to use as arrows.
- Can you use the arrow keys to swap tabs in Excel? No, you can’t use the arrow keys to swap tabs in Excel. However, you can use
Ctrl + Page Upto navigate to the previous sheet andCtrl + Page Downto move to the next sheet.
