Rubayed Razib Suprov
The main purpose of the cursor in Excel is navigation. The default shape of the cursor is an arrow. During various operations and processes, the shape of the cursor changes accordingly. If by any means, the default shape changes to other than an arrow, we need to revert the shape back to the arrow, How we manage to change the shape of the cursor shape from plus to arrow in Excel will discuss here with adequate explanations.
Download Practice Workbook
Download this practice workbook below.
5 Easy Ways to Change Cursor from Plus to Arrow in Excel
For the demonstration purpose, we are going to use the below dataset. In this dataset, we have students’ names. And their obtained number in the Math and Economics subjects.
1. Embedding VBA Macro
Using a simple VBA macro can dramatically reduce the time required for changing the cursor shape from plus to arrow.
Steps
- In the beginning, select Visual Basic from the Developer tab.
- Then click Insert > Module.
- In the module window, enter the following code.
Sub PlusToCursor()
Application.Cursor = xlNorthwestArrow
End Sub
- Then close the window.
- After that, go to the View tab > Macros > View Macros.
- After clicking View Macros, select the macros that you created just now. The name here is PlusToCursor. Then click Run.
- After clicking OK, you will notice that the cursor now changed its shape from cross to arrow.
2. Enabling Drag and Drop Option
We can change the cursor shape from cross to arrow by enabling the drag and drop option from advanced options.
Steps
- At first, click on the File tab on the corner of the worksheet.
- Then in the opening panel, click on the Options.
- Then in the new Excel Options window, go to Advanced.
- After that, within the editing group, apply Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop feature by ticking the box.
- Then click OK after this.
- Then you will notice that the cursor in the spreadsheet has changed from a cross to an arrow at this point.
And this is how we can change the shape of the cursor from plus to arrow by enabling the drag and drop option.
Read More: [Fixed!] Excel Cursor Not Changing to Plus (7 Possible Solutions)
3. Unchecking Set Precision from Excel Options
Sometimes the precision settings in our Excel file can cause problems, if the precision is not enabled, then the cursor shape is set to cross or plus, Enabling this option can return the shape back to the arrow.
Steps
- If you notice, that the cursor at this moment is in a cross shape.
- To switch it to an arrow shape, first, click on the File tab in the worksheet.
- Then click on the Options.
- After clicking the options, a new Excel Options window will open.
- From that window, go to the Advanced options.
- In the advanced option, go to the When calculating this workbook group.
- From that group, notice that the Set precision as displayed box is checked.
- Then, from When calculating this workbook group, uncheck the Set precision as displayed box
- After unchecking the box, click on OK
- After clicking OK, you will notice that the cursor is now switched from Plus shape to Arrow shape.
And this is how we can change the shape of the cursor from plus to arrow by unchecking the set precision box.
Read More: [Fixed!] Excel Cursor Changed to Plus Sign (With Quick Solution)
4. Changing Mouse Properties
Sometimes our computer’s own default mouse settings can mess with the pointer shape settings in Excel.
Steps
- In the beginning, click on the Start icon and then search for the Control Panel.
- Then in the Control Panel window, click on the Change how the mouse pointer looks on the Mouse group.
- Then there will be a mouse properties window, from the mouse properties window, choose your preferred mouse shape from the Customize window.
- Click OK after this.
- After the selection of mouse shape from the mouse properties, you will notice that the mouse shape is now changed from Plus to Arrow shape.
And this is how we can change the shape of the cursor from plus to arrow by changing the mouse pointer settings.
Read More: [Fixed!] Excel Cursor Stuck on White Cross (6 Possible Solutions)
5. Repairing Microsoft Office
Often the internal Add-ins and Plug-ins can cause problems in the cursor shape. Resetting the Office can reset the Add-ins and which in turn can change the cursor shape to the arrow.
Steps
- To get started, go to the Start menu and then to the Settings.
- Then in the Settings window, click on the Apps options.
- Then in the Apps and features window, search for the Office in the search bar.
- Next, click on the version of MS Office installed on your pc and then click on Modify.
- After clicking on modify, there will be a new window named How would you like to repair your Office Programs?
- Then choose Quick Repair, and then click Repair.
- Your cursor size issue might be fixed when you repair your office products through settings.
And this is how we can change the shape of the cursor from plus to arrow in Excel.
Read More: [Fixed!] Excel Cursor Stuck in Drag Mode (5 Possible Solutions)
Conclusion
To sum it up, the question “how to change the cursor from plus to arrow in Excel” is answered here in 5 different ways. Starting from using the VBA Macro, then enabling the drag and drop option, moreover settings precision in the advanced tab, and finally resetting pc and repairing Ofice products. Among all of the methods used here, using the Drag and Drop and the VBA macro method is comparatively easier to use. The VBA process is also less time-consuming but requires prior VBA-related knowledge. Other methods don’t have such a requirement.
For this problem, a workbook is available for download where you can practice these methods.
Feel free to ask any questions or feedback through the comment section. Any suggestion for the betterment of the Exceldemy community will be highly appreciable.
