Excel doesn't show a selected cell when window lost focus

Question

Hello there,

My problem is very simple, but bothering at same time. I'm working with two big monitors, and sometimes have multiple Excel windows open at same time. The problem is, when I select a cell in one window and the go to another one, the selection from a first window is lost... What I mean, the cell is still selected, but I can't see it any more. Let me illustrate with an example:

I'm crazy? Not really. Sometimes working with big tables, I'd like to select a cell/row/area/whatever and keep it as reference. The old version of office  didn't have this problem. It's more, notepad does it good!

Any idea? Help please!!!

Answer 1

Since I'm not using the clipboard now, Ivan's Ctrl+C is just what I need.  Thanks!  Too bad it took years and nobody from Microsoft suggesting it.

One imagines a meeting in Microsoft with some main Theory of Programming dude saying "I discovered we left focus on cells that don't actually have system focus.  I filed a ticket to correct this discrepancy - please have it fixed and tested before the next release!!".   Others at the meeting:  "were people complaining?"  "did we check what other tools do?"  "did we ask users how they might use focus when also using other tools at the same time?"  "let's understand this before changing"

Of course if those questions even came up at MS, they seem to get ignored because the bureaucracy seems to be about adding new "stuff" and not improving the user experience.  Forcing people to use the same Excel frame for multiple spreadsheets comes to mind as a change that reflects a serious disconnect from actual users.

The dumbest thing is to say "well, you could change the color of the highlighted cells each time that you switch to another application - and then restore the color when done".   Better might be "oops, so sorry messing that up.  We expect to have this fixed with a new KB.  Until then, use Ctrl C to hold focus box".   Man, that kind of response in the first reply from MS would have eliminated all the struggles and improved the product quality for the masses.   Excellent possible response for the cost * number of users.   Next time....

Answer 2

I'm glad that my workaround helped.

You know what? Office Word also hides the text selection when goes inactive!

Unbelievable.

My workmates and I also joked about MS's meetings and decisions. We are sure some old good developers left fighting about several MS's strange decisions some time ago. Those were lost battles.

Regards

Answer 3

Hi Ruslan,

This is the default feature of Office applications that selections are based on Active Window. The reason is obvious that if you're working on Window1 (Active window), you can see visible selection (highlighted). The selection would allow you to change Cell formats, Copy, Cut or Erase data. Excel doesn't want to take any liability of the inactive window changes, whether it works side-by-side or in background. Perhaps due to this reason, you can only view 'Selection' in active window at a time unlike Notepad.

Alternatively, you can use Fill-Color handle to highlight in both workbooks. This might be a little tedious job, but will serve the purpose.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Yeah,

C'mon Microsoft, get on this. You would make A LOT of people happy...

Answer 5

I ended up taking a screen shot of the focused cells with the selection,  to work around On Focus Lost of excel.