Format Cell doesn't

[joec]

I have one particular workbook where some of the cells (not all) won't
let me "format cell" from the short cut or from the Format Menu. It
occurs on all the worksheets of just this workbook but all the other
workbooks are ok.
Anybody knows what's going on?
Regards
Joe

 

[JE McGimpsey]

I have one particular workbook where some of the cells (not all) won't
let me "format cell" from the short cut or from the Format Menu. It
occurs on all the worksheets of just this workbook but all the other
workbooks are ok.

The numbers that won't format were probably input as Text. This can
happen if the cell is formatted as text when the entry is made, and
often happens when values are pasted in from other applications.

To coerce "text numbers" to real numbers, select an empty cell. Copy it.
Select your numbers. Choose Edit/Paste Special, selecting the Add and
Values radio buttons. Click OK.

 

[joec]

My problem is that when I select some of the cells and then go to
Format, the dialogue box for "format cell" does not appear so I'm not
able to select a number or date etc. This does not happen to all cells.

 

[joec]

The Format Cells is available but does not show for some of the cells
yet does show for others - it fails to appear on a random basis i.e.
there is no pattern to it's non show. I hope this is clearer because
it's really weird and only happens to this one workbook. I have tried
moving the sheets to a new workbook but the problem is still there.
There doesn't appear to be a compatability problem. Any more thoughts
anyone?
Joe

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Joe-

Let's try this approach;

First, which version of Excel are you using?

If 2004, go to View>Formatting Palette & try using the features there to see
if they work for you. (I skipped X, so I'm not sure if it has the same
feature or not.)

Please post back with exactly what happens.

Regards |:>)

 

[joec]

Hi (Taz?)
Thanks for replying. Yes, it's Excel 2004 for Mac v11.1.1 I'm using. I
have no problem using Formatting Palette. The problem is if I right
click some cells and select Format Cells nothing happens - the same
applies if I select Format from the main menu and select cells again
nothing happens. This fault only applies to some cells and they could
be empty or contain text or numbers - there is no pattern here. Other
cells will let me bring up the Format Cells dialogue as normal.
Regards
Joe

 

[CyberTaz]

Just to be on the safe side, try this before anything else...

Go to Tools>Customize>Menus and Toolbars (may be worded a little
differently). On the Toolbars page, click the _name_ of the Workbook
Menu Bar, then click Reset. See if that makes any difference. (You may
have to quit Excel & relaunch it to be certain.)

BTW_ Did you ever check to see whether Protection is turned ON? I
haven't seen any indication in your replies.

Regards |:>)

 

[joec]

Still no joy I'm afraid, and there is no problem with Protection. Any
other thoughts?
Regards
Joe

 

[CyberTaz]

Sorry it didn't help, but better to take it one step @ a time.

I noticed you are still in 11.1.1, so the next thing I'd suggest is that you
Repair Disk Permissions, go to

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx?pid=download&location=/mac/downl
oad/office2004/Office2004_11_2.xml&secid=4&ssid=27&flgnosysreq=True

To download & install SP 2. Repair Permissions again, then see if that makes
any difference. I doubt it will because it sounds like the problem may be
with the file itself. At least that will get you into 11.2 and we can go
from there.

Regards |:>)

 

[joec]

Have downloaded SP2 but still having the same problem. Not sure what
you mean by Repair Permissions. I'm now on version 11.2. Anything else
you can suggest?
Regards
Joe

 

[joec]

I have completed Repair Permissions successfully. Thanks for the
advice. Still the same problem though.
Regards
Joe

 

[CyberTaz]

There seems to be no doubt that there is some sort of corruption with the
file, since it is the only one presenting the problem. I'm honestly not sure
how to fix it, but here are a couple more thoughts.

1- Select a cell in a new blank file & copy as usual. Then go to one of the
offending cells in the problem workbook & use Edit>Paste Special>Formats.

2- If that doesn't make any change, select one of the problem cells & go to
Format>Style and see what appears in the list. If anything other than
Normal, open the list, choose Normal & see if that works. (If it _does_
indicate Normal when you open the Style dialog box, choose one of the other
styles. OK out, then go in & change it back to Normal.)

Regards |:>)

 

[joec]

I have completed your suggestions in 1 & 2 but to no avail. The copying
made no difference and the style is at Normal.
Regards
Joe

 

[CyberTaz]

Well, I'm afraid I'm about out of ideas. Am still convinced it is
file-specific, though.

If it isn't sensitive material you can attach a copy & email it to me.
I'll be glad to take a closer look. If you do, please include a listing
of some of the problem cells. Remove 'only' and the first 'dot' in the
email address.

Regards |:>)

 

[joec]

You won't believe this! I was highlighting some of the problem cells,
before sending you a copy of the workbook, by changing the fill colour
when I noticed that once changed the cell behaved normally - I was able
to short cut to the Formatt Cells dialogue box and formatt the cell in
the usual way. So, on all the sheets I selected all the cells, clicked
on the no fill button and hey presto all the cells behave normally!
So no problems now, and thanks for all your help and patience.
Best Regards
Joe

 

[JE McGimpsey]

You won't believe this! I was highlighting some of the problem cells,
before sending you a copy of the workbook, by changing the fill colour
when I noticed that once changed the cell behaved normally - I was able
to short cut to the Formatt Cells dialogue box and formatt the cell in
the usual way. So, on all the sheets I selected all the cells, clicked
on the no fill button and hey presto all the cells behave normally!
So no problems now, and thanks for all your help and patience.

I would copy all of your data to a new workbook as soon as possible.
It's possible that the behavior you've seen is an application bug, but I
think it more likely that it indicates workbook corruption.

Workbooks never uncorrupt themselves, even if the outward appearance
improves. Instead they tend to get increasingly corrupt.

Just my US$0.02.

 

[CyberTaz]

I share your glee in rectifying the problem, but as JE points out
simply using a Fill Color should _not_ prevent you from formatting the
cells nor cause the Format Cell dialog box from launching. There may
very well be an underlying problem with the file which may rear it's
ugly head in a more damaging way.

Follow his suggestions rather than pushing that book further along.

Regards |:>)