Eshrak Kader
Undoubtedly, Excel is the go-to tool for processing and analyzing data. However, like everything else in this world, it has its downsides too. Have you faced a situation where the cursor selects the wrong cell? Do not despair! Because you’re not alone. Luckily, in the following tutorial, we’ll demonstrate 6 easy fixes for the Excel cursor selecting the wrong cell. In addition, we’ll also discuss fixes for Excel’s cursor being selected in the wrong place.
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6 Possible Solutions to Fix While Cursor Is Selecting Wrong Cell in Excel
First and foremost, let’s assume the Quarterly Sales Data for 2021 shown in the B4:F14 cells contains the Location, and the four Quarters Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 respectively. Here, we want to fix the issue of the Excel cursor selecting the wrong cell. So, without further delay, let’s glance at the solutions described below with easy and simple illustrations.
Here, we have used the Microsoft Excel 365 version; you may use any other version according to your convenience.
Solution 1: Checking Whether the Extend Selection Feature Is Enabled or Not
First of all, let’s address a common cause of the Excel cursor selecting the wrong cell. Simply put, the Extend Selection feature may be turned on, which causes the selection of unwanted cells as shown in the figure below.
📌 Steps:
- To begin with, check the Status Bar to see if Extend Selection is visible >> press the F8 key or the ESC key to turn off Extend Selection >> it disappears from the Status Bar.
Finally, this disables the Extend Selection feature, so it disappears from the Status Bar.
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Solution 2: Adjusting the Zoom Percentage
In truth, another simple fix involves adjusting the Zoom of the spreadsheet. Now, there are several ways to do this, so let’s see the process in detail.
📌 Steps:
- Initially, move to the View tab >> click the Zoom button.
- Next, choose a magnification according to your preference, for instance, a Custom magnification of “110%” was chosen >> hit the OK button.
In addition, you can also adjust the zoom using the Zoom Slider in the Status Bar.
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Solution 3: Opening Excel in Safe Mode
Oftentimes, launching Microsoft Excel in Safe Mode resolves many of the issues, in this case, the Excel cursor selects the wrong cell. Luckily, it’s a simple process, so just follow along.
📌 Steps:
- First, close the Excel application >> click the Windows button >> hold down the CTRL key and Left click to open Excel.
- Not long after, a message appears asking if you want to open Excel in Safe Mode >> hit the Yes button.
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Solution 4: Disabling All Add-ins
For one thing, Excel Add-ins are a useful feature for data analysis, but sometimes they may cause the problem of the Excel cursor selecting the wrong cell. Hence, another potential fix involves disabling all the Add-ins.
📌 Steps:
- First of all, navigate to the File tab at the top-left corner.
- Next, click the Options button at the bottom.
Now, the Excel Options wizard appears.
- In turn, go to the Add-ins section >> in the Manage field, choose the COM Add-ins option >> click on Go.
- Afterward, uncheck all the Add-ins as shown below and press OK >> Close and reboot Excel.
Hopefully, this fixes the issue of the Excel cursor selecting the wrong cell.
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Solution 5: Enabling Direct Editing in Cell
Typically, another common problem that drives people crazy is when you click a cell to enter Editing Mode, but the cursor jumps to another cell. For example, in the screenshot below, Double-clicking the C17 cell prompts the cursor to jump to the C9:F9 cell, almost as if the cursor has a mind of its own!
Fortunately, there is a simple workaround, therefore, allow us to demonstrate the process in the steps below.
📌 Steps:
- To start with, proceed to the File tab.
- Then, jump to the Options section.
- Later, navigate to the Advanced option >> check Allow editing directly in cells >> press the OK button >> restart Excel.
Eventually, this should troubleshoot the above problem.
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Solution 6: Changing Page Layout
Last but not least, while sifting through various forums, people suggested changing the page layout to amend the problem of the Excel cursor selecting the wrong cell. Admittedly, no one knows why this is the case, but hey, whatever works!
📌 Steps:
- Initially, proceed to the View tab >> choose the Normal view.
That said, however, our world is far from perfect! The methods above are all possible ways to resolve the issue of the Excel cursor selecting the wrong cell, if the problem persists, as the last option, you can contact Microsoft Support. Here, you can find many Excel experts who will provide solutions for your particular issues.
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What to Do If Cursor Is in the Wrong Place in Excel
Alternatively, another similar issue is that Excel’s cursor is in the wrong place. So, let’s go through the steps to fix this problem.
📌 Steps:
- First, go to Excel’s File tab.
- Second, choose Options to open a new window.
Consequently, the Excel Options dialog box pops out.
- Third, select the Advanced tab >> in the Display section, check the Disable hardware graphics acceleration option >> press OK.
If, however, this does not resolve the problem, then you’ll have to update the Office version on your PC to fix this issue.
Conclusion
To sum up, this article describes 6 quick and easy fixes for the issue of the Excel cursor selecting the wrong cell. Now, we hope you find it useful and will share your thoughts in the comments section. Moreover, you can visit ExcelDemy for many more articles like this.
