Cursor Stuck In Select Mode

A

Andrew Chalk

I have an odd problem with Excel in Office XP running on XP Professional.

For no apparent reason the cursor will go into a "cell seelct" mode similar
to the one that is in effect when selecting a print area. It does this
without warning and cannot be exited. I have to kill Excel from Task
manager. No menu selections are accessable although I can Alt-tab to other
applications.

Any idea what causes this and how to fix it?

Many thanks.
 
D

Dan E

Andrew,

Next time it happens try pressing the F8 key, that enters and exits
a selection extend mode. Try pressing it twice in cas it is in the
other select mode (Shift + F8). If you need to press it twice, try
pressing Shift + F8 once the next time it happens.

Dan E
 
A

Andrew Chalk

Thanks, Dan. I tried F8 as you described but it didn't affect things. This
problem is very odd. It just goes into this mode without warning. Although a
keystroke is necessary to invoke it, it is not the same key
stroke/combination each time.

Regards
 
C

Cheryl

This is not a reply, but rather someone else who has the
same problem...I have uninstalled the office package, and
reinstalled it as well as going out and buying a newer
version than I had before. Same problem...as you are
having, I have done all the updates, ran Virus checker
etc etc etc....the real bummer is that if you have done
some work and have not saved it almost after every
keystroke, then all the work is gone....
Anyone else have any ideas that will help us would
greatly be appreciated.
 
R

RagDyer

This is not an uncommon, occurrence in XL.

It's been called many things, one of which is "Ghosting".

Go to this Google Advanced site, and search using
"Ghosting".

http://www.google.com/advanced_group_search?q=group:*excel

You'll be surprised at the number of posts relating to your problem.


HTH,

RD

====================================================
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so that all may benefit!
====================================================





Thanks, Dan. I tried F8 as you described but it didn't affect things. This
problem is very odd. It just goes into this mode without warning. Although a
keystroke is necessary to invoke it, it is not the same key
stroke/combination each time.

Regards
 
A

Andrew Chalk

Thanks! Apparently no single cure. The cause appears to be the mouse driver.

Regards
 
R

RagDyer

On the few occassions that it's happened to me, I've been often, but not
always, successful in releasing it by *pressing* on the scroll wheel, *not*
rolling it.


HTH,

RD
========================================
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
========================================
 
M

mad not bad

I have had same problem and put it down to the scroll button/wheel button on
the mouse. I hit this button a couple of times to release it.
 
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