Due to some unwanted errors, an Excel file freezes, and consequently, while saving the file an error message pops up like “Fixed Objects Will Move”. Nothing works unless you open the Task Manager and hit End to stop the program. In this article, you will get 4 solutions to fix the “Fixed Objects Will Move” error in Excel.
What Are Fixed Objects in Excel?
Fixed Objects are those objects that Excel keeps fixed in a specified position. The common fixed objects in Excel are comments, graphics, controls, etc.
What Is the “Fixed Objects Will Move” Error in Excel?
The “Fixed Objects will Move” is such an error that freezes the Excel file. For some unwanted errors, it may occur. If this error occurs, then you will see an error message “Fixed Objects will Move” appear while saving the file. You may end up clicking on OK to solve the problem but this never goes away unless you use the Task Manager to terminate the program.
How to Fix “Fixed Objects Will Move” Error in Excel: 4 Solutions
1. Save Excel Files as XLSX or XLS Files to Fix “Fixed Objects Will Move” Error
To fix the problem “Fixed Objects will Move” inspect your worksheet for error and then save the file as an xlsx or xls file.
To do so, here are the steps to follow:
❶ First go to the File tab.
❷ After that click on Info.
❸ Click on Check for Issues to Inspect Workbook.
❹ From the drop-down choose Inspect Document.
A message box will appear to ask you whether you want to save the Excel file or not.
❺ Hit the No button.
Because you want to save after the inspection for errors.
❻ Document Inspector dialog box will appear. Click on the Inspect button to start the inspection.
❼ After the inspection is done, hit the Close button.
❽ Now go to the Save As option from the Info button.
❾ Choose a directory path to save your Excel file and save it as an xlsx or xls file.
I really hope following these steps, the error “Fixed Objects will Move” will disappear.
By the way, if the first inspection can’t handle the error, try the above steps several times. Hope this will work for you.
2. Find and Remove All the Objects from Excel Worksheet to Solve the “Fixed Objects Will Move” Error
If you can detect all the fixed objects and then delete them as they were causing the issues, you can fix the issues easily.
Now follow the steps below to learn how to detect and delete them.
❶ Press CTRL + G to open the Go To dialog box.
❷ Click on the Special button.
❸ Go to Special dialog will appear. Now select Objects from the list and hit OK.
This will detect all the fixed objects in your Excel worksheet.
❹ Now press the Delete button from your keyboard to delete all the fixed objects.
After removing all the fixed objects using the Go To Special dialog box, you can fix the “Fixed Objects will Move” problem.
3. Enable “Don’t Move or Size with Cells” to Repair the “Fixed Objects Will Move” Error in Excel
If you have inserted some graphics in your Excel workbook and suspect them of causing the “Fixed Objects will Move” problem, then do the following:
❶ Click on an individual graphic image that you have inserted.
❷ Go to the Picture Format tab.
❸ Under the Size group, you will find the Size and Properties icon at the right-bottom corner. Just click on it to expand.
❹ From the Format Picture pop-up menu, expand the Properties section.
❺ Under the Properties section, you will find “Move and size with cells”. Select this option and you are done.
4. Use Visual Basic Script to Fix “Fixed Objects Will Move” Bug in Excel
You can use the following VBA script to solve the “Fixed Objects will Move” error in Excel.
For that,
❶ Press ALT + F11 to open the VBA editor.
❷ Go to Insert > Module.
❸ Copy the following VBA code:
Sub HandleErrors()
Dim x As Excel.Worksheet
Dim y As Excel.Workbook
Set y = ActiveWorkbook
For Each x In y.Worksheets
For Each cmt In x.Comments
cmt.Shape.Placement = xlMoveAndSize
Next cmt
Next x
End Sub❹ Paste and save the above code in the VBA editor.
❺ Now hit the Run Sub button or press the F5 key to run the above code.
This will open the Macro dialog box.
❻ All you need to do now is to select the function and hit the Run button.
This VBA script will instantly solve the problem “Fixed Objects will Move” in Excel.
Read More: Excel VBA: Turn Off the “On Error Resume Next”
Things to Remember
- Press CTRL + G to open the Go To dialog box.
- To open the VBA editor, press the ALT + F11 button.
- To run a VBA code in Excel, press the F5 key.
Download Practice Workbook
You can download the Excel file from the following link and practice along with it.
Conclusion
To sum up, we have discussed 4 methods to fix fixed objects that will move in Excel. You are recommended to download the practice workbook attached along with this article and practice all the methods with that. And don’t hesitate to ask any questions in the comment section below. We will try to respond to all the relevant queries asap.
Tried all but the inserted graphic (are none) and none worked. I never had this problem before last week and haven’t changed Excel versions or anything. Workbooks that were fine a month ago are suddenly spitting this error. The only way to stop it is to use my mouse to unfilter (not preferred) or reboot.
Hello Katherine,
This is a critical issue. The 4 solutions provided above are all the known solutions you will find on the internet.
So make sure, you’ve tried all the solutions accurately. Yet, you can emphasize more on solution no 2. As you described, you are facing this problem suddenly. Chances are your worksheet contains a graphic object that is invisible. So, try to find it out and remove it.
Still, if it doesn’t work properly, then you can start over with a new workbook.
Regards!