Shift + 3 does not give numeric symbol

Question

Recently discovered that when I try to put in the numeric symbol "#" into a cell in Excel 2007, it does not put in the #, instead it inserts a slash "/". This is not the only key that is inconsistent with the keyboard, and this happens when typed into the formula bar. If I type "shift" + "3" into a selected cell without going to the formula bar, this strange menu shows up in the upper-left corner.  It appears to be a shortcut menu that appears visibly on the screen. How do I get rid of this? I need to be able to use the "#" symbol for some of my cell entries.  I can show a picture of the strange menu via "print screen", I put it on flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/76077939@N03/6832739563/in/photostream

Answer 1

It sounds kinda like you have an alternate keyboard enabled. Go into File tab / Options command / Language option. Do you have more than just English as language options,

Then, in the start menu search window type "Regional", select "Regional and Language Options". Click on the Keyboards and Languages tab, then the Change Keyboards button.  In the General tab, do you have more than English as an option and what is selected? Then go to the Advanced Key Settings tab and make note of the key sequences used to enable the various keyboards.

If you have extra keyboard languages you have a few options:

• get rid of unneeded ones in the General tab.
• Turn on the Language bar so you can mouse to change keyboards.
• in the Advanced key Settings tab either memorize the shortcut keys or set them to "None".

I don't understand what you are trying to point out in the screen cap. I see the standard Data tab with the "Alt" shortcut keys displayed by tapping on the "alt" key..

Answer 2

Thanks! You were exactly right. The "French" keyboard was enabled in my Excel. All I had to do is press "left-alt" + "shift" and the program cycles through the enabled keyboards. Since I also have Canadian French enabled, I must have accidently pressed "left-alt"+"shift" and caused the program to begin cycling.

Solution: press "left-alt"+"shift" until keyboard you want comes back.