Random Character inserted in Excel Spreadsheet

Question

Hi everyone,

I would require help for a very strange problem I am facing with a user. Whenever this user is using excel, in any files, from time to time the letter 's' will be inserted randomly in the active cell. So far we tried the following. Unplug the keyboard, then the mouse and even the docking station leaving nothing plugged and the issue persisted. Where it gets weird is that we have changed the user computer but the issue is still there. How is this possible?

Any leads would be appreciated,

Answer 1

Dear Jajor8

I'm following the thread.

May I know does your query was resolved via the above information mentioned by Neha? If you still need any further assistance, please feel free to post back, we'll help you all the time.

Sincerely,

Stacey | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Dear Jajor8,

Greetings! Thank you for posting in Microsoft forum.

From your post, it seems letter “s” appears randomly in active cell in Excel, you have also tried using another computer and the same issue appears.

May I know if this issue is in Excel desktop app or Excel for the web? If it is Excel desktop app, please run Excel in safe mode. Starting Excel in safe mode starts the app without encountering certain startup programs. When you run Excel in safe mode, it bypasses functionality and settings such as alternative startup location, changed toolbars, the xlstart folder, and Excel add-ins. However, COM add-ins are excluded. Please try starting Excel in safe mode to verify if this is the case. To know how to run Excel app in safe mode, see Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC.

Also, please try the repairing Office apps from Control Panel:

1. Click the Start button > Control Panel. From Category view, under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
2. Select Microsoft 365, and then click Change and select Online Repair.

Please try Online repair. Quick repair only detects and then replaces corrupted files, and an Online repair option will do a complete repair; it will take a few extra minutes to repair Office applications.

If the issue persists, please provide us with the following information:

1. Please provide the screenshot of Microsoft 365 Product Information. To get this screenshot, open Word or Excel on your system, click File>Account, capture the screenshot of all the information mentioned under Product Information.
2. OS version?
3. Do you get this problem in a specific workbook?

If my understanding above is not consistent with yours, you can also post back and point that out.

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely,

Neha | Microsoft Community Moderator