Default Cell Editing Behavior and the F2 key

[Colin Higbie]

Is there any way to make cell editing work like it does when you hit F2 by
default?

If you just start typing in a cell and then want to use the standard cursor
controls for text (e.g., Ctrl-arrow keys to move forward or back a word, home
or end to jump to beginning or end of formula or text), Excel instead
intercepts these and moves the selection to another cell, forcibly stopping
you from editing the cell.

On the other hand, if you hit F2 first, everything works as it should. You can
also hit F2 mid-edit to toggle the behavior, but if you can't remember which
mode it's in, you may be toggling back to the cell controls when you hit F2.

I never want it to work as it now defaults. If I want to switch cells, I can
hit tab or enter. I don't want the cursor controls to jump cells while I'm
editing a cell. I couldn't find any settings in the Options pages to control
this. Am I just looking in the wrong place? Please tell me there's a way to
adjust this.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Colin

 

[Chip Pearson]

Colin,

As far as I know, there is no way to do this. You have to hit the
F2 key.

--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com

 

[DDM]

....and if it's any comfort, Colin, note that the Status bar will tell you if
you're in the Edit mode (cursor doesn't jump cells) or the Enter mode
(cursor jumps cells). Pressing F2, of course, toggles between the two.

 

[wie.niet]

Is there any way to make cell editing work like it does when you hit F2 by
default?

If you just start typing in a cell and then want to use the standard cursor
controls for text (e.g., Ctrl-arrow keys to move forward or back a word, home
or end to jump to beginning or end of formula or text), Excel instead
intercepts these and moves the selection to another cell, forcibly stopping
you from editing the cell.

On the other hand, if you hit F2 first, everything works as it should. You can
also hit F2 mid-edit to toggle the behavior, but if you can't remember which
mode it's in, you may be toggling back to the cell controls when you hit F2.

I never want it to work as it now defaults. If I want to switch cells, I can
hit tab or enter. I don't want the cursor controls to jump cells while I'm
editing a cell. I couldn't find any settings in the Options pages to control
this. Am I just looking in the wrong place? Please tell me there's a way to
adjust this.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Colin

Maybe you should try, Tools/Options/Edit and remove the check at 'Edit
direct in cell'
this is the only change possible in Excel with regard of editing cells
(afaik)

 

[Colin Higbie]

Thanks, I'd never noticed that! Not quite what I was hoping for, but that's a
lot better than nothing.

Much appreciated,
Colin

 

[Colin Higbie]

Thanks. That actually doesn't change whether or not the arrow keys move the
cell or the cursor within the cell. By default, unless you press F2, the arrow
keys and other cursor controls (home, end, Ctrl-left, Ctrl-right) change cells
instead of move within the cell. Disabling editing directly in the cell does
not change that behavior.

- Colin