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Unblock Insert rows option

Aidworker17

New Member
Dear All,

I have been updating someone else's Excel workbook that has a number of worksheets.

The first worksheet is where the data is entered, and all the main action happens. Though the other worksheets do have important functions that relate to the first worksheet

In the first worksheet :

1. When I try and insert a row, I find that the option to "Insert" is unavailable (greyed out).

2. When I try to cut and insert rows, I am able to cut them, I am able to select "Insert Cut Cells" but when I chose this option I get the a message in a window that says "This Operation is not allowed. The operation is attempting to shift cells in a table on your worksheet".

3. When I try to copy and insert rows, I am able to copy them, I am able to select "Insert Copied Cells" but when I chose this option I get a message in a window that says "This Operation is not allowed. The operation is attempting to shift cells in a table on your worksheet" .

These issues remain whether the worksheet is protected or not. The other worksheets in the workbook do not have this problem.

I would like to undo this so that I can insert, cut & insert cut rows, and copy and insert rows.

When I go to the Table Tools Design tab, I see that there is a table called "Table20". Also, when I do a Ctrl-A, it highlights the first 3 columns only; and requires another Cntrl-A to highlight the rest of the worksheet. Could the table be in the first 3 columns ? Could removing the table help fix the problem ?

Table Update : I just manged to convert the table to a range. The same problems occur except that I can select the "Insert" option but when I select it or the "Insert Cut Cells" or the "Insert Copied Cells", I get a message in a window that says

"To prevent possible loss of data, Excel cannot shift nonblank cells off of the worksheet. Select another location in which to insert new cells, or delete data from the end of your worksheet.

If you do not have data in cells that can be shifted off of the worksheet, you can reset which cells Excel considers nonblank. To do this, press CNRL+End to locate the last nonblank cell on the worlsheet. Delete this cell and all cells between it and the last row and column of your data then save".

The file is a database of beneficiaries in an NGO in Africa. As such, I am unable to send you a copy of the file at the moment - due to privacy issues.

I have not created any code or done anything to solve this problem.

Below is some additional information, to give you an idea of my computing experience - to help you to explain to me how to solve the problem .

I am reasonably experienced with Excel, and I am aware of Visual Basic - though I know next to nothing about using it. Even though I don't know the actual language, I can copy and past code if directed to do so. I graduated as a programmer in 1985 (Pascal was all the rage then).

Kind regards,
Jon
 
Last edited:
Hi ,

The fact that you are unable to insert cut cells implies that some cells to the extreme right or bottom have been designated as part of the used range , either intentionally or unintentionally.

To find out whether this so , press CTRL END , and see where the cursor is placed.

If this cell is not really in use , delete all columns and rows which are not in use , save the workbook , and re-open it to see whether the problem has been solved.

Narayan
 
Dear Narayan,

Thank you for helping.

The end is at column AW (which is the lat column actually used). However the last row is 1048576.

I then selected a few thousand rows from the bottom, then right clicked and selected "Delete". It seemed that no rows were deleted as the last cell is still in the same position.

I am still not able Insert, Copy & Insert and Cut & Insert

Is there anything else I can try ?

Cheers,
Jon
 
Hi ,

When you delete rows and immediately check using CTRL END , the cursor will still be placed in AW1048576 ; you have to save the file , close it , and then re-open it. Only then will the change be reflected.

I had not mentioned the highlighted action earlier.

Narayan
 
Dear Narayan,

Thank you very much.

I am now able to "Insert" rows, "Cut & Insert" rows, "Delete" rows. This is a huge step forward

I still can't "Copy & Insert" rows. If you can help me fix this the n great; otherwise I can live with it.

In order to get to where I am, I did not convert the table (in columns A to C) to a range. Now that I am on the way, I though I would do so. However, in the Table Tools Design tab all the choices in the Properties" and "Tools" sections are grey and inaccessible. Does this matter ? If so what should I do.

Cheers,
Jonathan.
 
Hi ,

Can you post any screenshots of the problem ?

Are you able to convert the range to a table using the Insert , Table menu option ?

Converting a range to a table offers conveniences but nothing additional ; anything that can be done when data is in the form of a table can also be achieved when it is in a plain range.

Narayan
 
Dear Narayan,

Once again thank you.

I worked out how to convert the table to a range, and I can now Copy & Insert. However

1. Ctrl-End now takes me back to the end of Excel's limit and

2. The file becomes much bigger (5 times)

3. All the Copy/Cut/Paste/Insert actions now come up with a window that warns of a delay of up to sixty seconds (see attached "Large Operation"). This makes me wonder what it is doing that takes time; and could it have repercussions ?

Cheers,
Jonathan
 

Attachments

  • Large Operation.pdf
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