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Insert Columns/Rows where there are merged cells

Anonymous
2019-07-16T21:41:42+00:00

I've had an issue recently where by I cannot select a single column or row where there are merged cells within that selection. Previously, merged cells did not impact the row/column I had selected, however something appears to have changed where the row or column selection expands to the extent of the merged cells. For example, if I have cells A1:A10 merged and want to insert an additional row at row 5, when I select row 5, the selection changes to rows 1:10. If I right click on row 5 and select 'insert row', I get 10 rows inserted above the merged range. Previously, I was able to just select row 5, insert a row and the merged cell range would just expand to A1:A11. The only work around is to un-merge the merged cells, insert the new row, then re-merge the cells. A tedious process, especially if it needs to be done multiple times.

Is this a bug (or poorly thought-out change) from an update that will never be reverted in my lifetime, or is this a setting that has changed somehow on my system which I can revert myself?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2019-07-18T06:53:56+00:00

Hi Chris,

I tested again with the latest version of semi-annual channel V 1902 (Build 11328.20368) and couldn’t reproduce the issue. Here’s my result.

Since it’s not the version issue, it might be possible that any setting or add-in is causing this, I’ll suggest you try the following:

  1. Check if you can insert a row/column between merge cells in safe mode (press the control key immediately after clicking Excel icon, it should pop up a confirmation dialog to ask whether you want to start in safe mode) or Right-click the Start button (lower-left corner) in Windows, and click Run., type excel /safe, and click OK.
  2. Re-start Excel in normal mode, check if you have any custom add-ins installed in Excel, click File > Options > Add-Ins. At the bottom of the dialog box, change the Manage dropdown to COM add-ins, and select Go. Clear the checkbox for any enabled COM add-ins. select OK.
  3. Please try online repair.
  • Click Start, in the search box typeRun
  • In the Run box, type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
  • Select **Microsoft Office 365,**click Change>Online Repair>Repair.

Let me know the status after trying the above steps.

Thanks,

Neha

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-07-18T07:41:47+00:00

    Hi Neha. Thanks for the reply.

    When I ran Excel in safe mode, the selection function operated as it should (like it is in your two gifs). I closed the safe mode window and opened up a normal instance of Excel.

    I checked the add-ins and I had two active COM add-ins - as soon as I saw it, I knew that the time I installed that software correlated with when I started having issues with Excel. It was a Logitech COM add-in that is installed with their Craft keyboard which I recently acquired. As soon as I disabled it, my issue was resolved. Seems like there's a random conflict with this add in and Excel.

    How can this be reported to the developer?

    Thanks for your assistance.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-07-17T05:09:12+00:00

    Hi Neha,

    Thanks for the reply. Since my post I did an update to make sure I was on the latest version of Office and I am still getting the same error. I have attached a gif below. As you can see, I am not getting the same result as you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-07-17T07:20:06+00:00

    Hi Chris,

    I believe you are putting mouse on merged cell A1 and then trying to insert a row.

    Please click on row no on left side like in below screen and use insert option.

    Hope it helps ...!!!

    No, that is not it. You can see what I'm doing in the gif I posted above.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-07-17T06:12:11+00:00

    Hi Chris,

    I believe you are putting mouse on merged cell A1 and then trying to insert a row.

    Please click on row no on left side like in below screen and use insert option.

    Hope it helps ...!!!

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
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