Problem: Control-C (copy) deletes contents of spreadsheet

[Robb Fulkerson]

I have a recent problem using Excel. I can not use the Control-C key combination to copy a cell or block of cells. If I do, the contents of the page are deleted and the cursor is placed in cell A1. Edit>Copy works as it should. I am using Excel 2000 upgraded to SP3 on a Windows 2000 Pro plaform. The problem occurred before the service pack upgrades, and is still around. I can start with a new empty spreadsheet, enter anything in a single cell, and watch it disappear if I use Control-C.
I am a professional - don't try this at home.
Thanks in advance.
Robb Fulkerson

 

[Jan Karel Pieterse]

Hi,

This is a default list of things-to-do when Excel exhibits (startup) problems.

Try opening Excel without any addins or hidden workbooks:

Start, Run,
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Excel.exe" /Automation

Quotes mandatory, Note you may have to change the path.

If your error disappears, there is either an add-in or a (hidden) workbook that is loaded upon XL's start, which bothers you.

- Try locating the XLSTART directory, move everything from there.
- In XL: Tools, Addins, note the ones checked and uncheck them one at the time, each time restarting XL
- In XL, Tools, options, general. Check if a path is entered after "Alternate startup file location". Clear it.


--
Regards,

Jan Karel Pieterse
Excel MVP
http://www.jkp-ads.com

 

[Jan Karel Pieterse]

Hi Robb,

<< I do
another file search and find that it is back in the Documents &
Settings\(profile name)\ Application
Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART and also in Documents & Settings\(profile
name)\ Application
Data\Microsoft\Office\Recent. If I delete these and then open Excel,
all is well, and Excel works as it should. If
I reboot, the Personal.xls are back in the Documents & Settings
location. I don't know where Windows derives
the information for this. My orignal removal and reinstallation of MS
Office (Excel) did nothing to correct the
problem. I am at a loss as to what to do next. >>

Sounds like you are either on a network that uses roaming profiles (the
network pushes some files and settings to the client you log in to), or
that your PC has some restore settings set somewhere. I would guess it
is the former.

Get in touch with your IT dept to fix this.

Regards,

Jan Karel Pieterse
Excel MVP
www.jkp-ads.com