Can't insert new column in Excel 2007

[Mart]

A colleague of mine extracts data via a Microsoft query into Excel. When he
opens the file and simply tries to insert a new column, the new column
momentarily appears and then disappears. He never had the problem in Excel
2003, only 2007.

The worksheet is not protected. There are more than enough columns and rows
(the data only occupies 75 columns and 1000 rows), and there are no merged or
hidden rows.

He emailed the file to me and I could freely add in additional columns and
rows, without any restriction - very puzzling. Anyone have a fix ?

 

[Dave Peterson]

Since you're seeing the new column (albeit temporarily), I'd suspect a macro.

I'd close excel and reopen in safe mode:

Close excel
Windows start button|run
excel /safe

And use ctrl-o to open the file and test it out.

If things work ok, then I'd suspect a macro--either one with that purpose or one
misbehaving.

If it only happens in that one workbook, then I'd look in that workbook's
project.

If it happens in all workbooks, then you'll have some detective work to do:

Chip Pearson has some notes on how to diagnose startup errors:
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/StartupErrors.htm

And Jan Karel Pieterse has more notes:
http://www.jkp-ads.com/Articles/StartupProblems.asp

Essentially, you'll turn off all the addins/startup workbooks and then open
excel. And then turn on each addin (closing and reopening) one at a time to
find the culprit.

 

[Shane Devenshire]

Hi,

If the same file works in 2003 but not now in 2007 then I tend to think its
not a macro.

Are you also using 2007? Is your file still linked to the data source - can
you see the connection under Data, Connections?

 

[Mart]

Thanks Dave ! The culprit was an add-in, and when it was removed, everything
worked as it should. Thanks kindly for the help.

Regards

Martin
---