F9 Iteration Key

Question

In Excel, I am supposed to be able to press F9 or Fn+F9 to get iterations to automatically change. I have gone to File, Options, Formulas, Enabled Iteration Calculations, and changed the max number of iterations to 1. However, the iteration does not automatically change if I press F9. I have also tried to lock Fn and then pressed F9, but nothing worked. I know excel has the built-in F9 to work for iterations, so I', wondering if it is somehow turned off on my computer or what I can do to fix this ASAP for class.

Answer 1

Hi NidhiHW,

Welcome to the Answers community?

Based on your post, I understand you have enabled enable iterative calculations and set maximum iterations to 1, as shown below:

I tested on my end, making the above change, and clicking Fn+F9 does change the iteration for me. Here’s a GIF for your reference.

Since it’s not working on your end, may I know if you have made any change that might have affected this function?

The first thing, I’ll suggest you please make sure the Office applications on your computer are fully updated. To check version information, open Word or Excel on the computer, click File>Account, check for the info mentioned under Product Information. The latest version for the current channel is 2008 (Build 13127.20296). For other channel version info, see Update history for Office 365 ProPlus.

If the Office version is not updated as mentioned in the article, please install updates and check if the issue remains. To know how to install updates, see Install Office updates

Besides, try opening Excel in safe mode and in safe mode, try performing the same steps, see if this works. To know how to start Excel in safe mode, see Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC

If the issue persists, please provide the following information:

1. Please provide the screenshot of Microsoft 365 Product Information. To get this screenshot, open any Office app such as Word or Excel on the affected system, click File>Account, capture the screenshot of all the information mentioned under Product Information.
2. Does this happen in a specific workbook? Please test it in a new workbook to confirm.
3. Since when you are getting this issue? Is it after an update?

Let me know the status. Have a nice day and stay safe 😊

Regards,

Neha

Answer 2

Hi NidhiHW,

Did you check the above reply? Please feel free to update us.

Regards,

Neha

Answer 3

Good Afternoon!

I have no idea why this isn't working on my computer. My laptop is charger dependent however as in if I take out the charger and when I try to plug it back in I get a "warning" that says that it can't determine the battery type. However, sometimes it works as and other functions are working right now. 

That being said, I did all the steps you said and I found that...

1. My Office 365 is completely updated

2. In safe mode, the formulas bar is not highlighted so I can't turn on the iterations.

It still does not work for me. I am thinking it could be somehow, somewhere on my computer these short-cut options are turned off, but I am not sure how or even what to check for that. I just started using this iteration when I asked the question and had never used it before so I don't know if it somehow got turned off or it never worked. 

Let me know if there is anything else I can do. Thank you for responding!

Best Regards, 

Nidhi Patel

[PII Masked by MSFT Moderator]

Answer 4

Hi NidhiHW,

May I know if the issue is with just iteration key or other functions keys also has the same issue?

Please try using the following shortcuts that works with function key, see if these works. This is just for test purpose to check if a specific shortcut key is not working or all the shortcuts with function keys have issues. You can try others from this link.

Ctrl+F2	Displays the print preview area on the Print tab in the Backstage view.
Ctrl+F1	Displays or hides the ribbon.
Alt+Shift+F1	inserts a new worksheet.
Shift+F2	adds or edits a cell note.
Ctrl+F9	minimizes a workbook window to an icon
Ctrl+F10	maximizes or restores the selected workbook window.

Note*: Depending on your keyboard setting, you might have to use the above shortcuts with Fn (function) key.*

Regards,

Neha

Answer 5

Hi NidhiHW,

Please feel free to update us.

Regards,

Neha