Cannot Add or Delete Cells

Question

Please help! My Excel has recently stopped allowing me to insert or delete cells. When I choose this function the screen will "twitch" as though something has happened, but nothing does. It seems limited to a single workbook (all tabs) that is neither lacking in available space nor overloaded with formulas or formatting. I've rebuilt the workbook once already only to have the issue reoccur (with the added glitch of notes in cells that just magically appeared and disappeared). When rebuilding, I discovered that removing a particular tab from the original workbook resolved the issue but it has now reoccurred.

Answer 1

Hi C. A. Mills,

Thanks for your post in Microsoft Community.  

1. Press Ctrl + →, then press Ctrl + ↆ to go to last cell. Delete the entire row and delete the entire column. See if you can add cells.
2. You mentioned thar you have rebuilt the workbook, and do you mean that you have created a new Excel workbook and then copy the data from the old workbook to the new one? If not, you can try it.
3. If it doesn't work, you can send this file through the private message at your convenience. I have enabled private messaging with you. You can send private message through the Messages link at the top right of the page.  

To check your private message, click on your avatar in the upper right corner of the page, and in the small box that pops up, click on My Profile > View private messages.

[![Image](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/64cf4fc9-b16d-4d21-bc14-bd9729425be2?platform=QnA

Answer 2

This is a personal subscription account. I have tried to repair Office as well. I am unable to send a screenshot of the issue because it does not normally create an error message (only when using the online version), it just fails to insert or delete cells. I've rebuilt the workbook twice and each time the same issue eventually reoccurs.

Answer 3

Hi C. A. Mills,

Thanks for your post in Microsoft Community.  

Due to limited information and the many reasons for the problem, we may require more detailed information from you.

• If possible, share us with a screenshot of your issue.
• I would like to know if you're using a personal or business account.
• I would like to know if you have tried some methods besides reinstalling Office and updating Windows (such as opening Excel apps in safe mode and repairing Office) ?
• Your Excel version: Open Excel > select Account > About Excel. Take a screenshot.

Feel free to post back if you need further assistance. 

Best wishes,

Lucia Wu - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialis

Answer 4

Hi Lucia,

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Office and I have updated to Windows 11 (23H2) but neither has resolved the issue. I have also opened the file in Office Online and got an error message saying there was a problem and to try again later when I tried to insert cells.

Thanks,

cmmatrix

Answer 5

Hello cmmatrix,

Welcome to Microsoft Community. 

I realize that you've encountered a problem when you edit cells in Excel, and I understand how you feel. Please feel free to correct me if my understanding is wrong. In order to solve this problem, please try the following steps:

1. Open Excel apps in safe mode: Press the Windows logo key + R. In the Run box, Type excel /safe, and click OK. For more information, see Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC - Microsoft Support. Check if you can edit workbook normally.
2. Repair Office: Right-click the Startbutton (lower-left corner) and select Installed apps on the pop-up menu. Select the Microsoft Office product you want to repair, click the ellipses, and select Modify. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the repair. For more information, see Repair an Office application - Microsoft Support.
3. Uninstall and reinstall Office. Follow steps in Uninstall Office from a PC - Microsoft Support and Download and install or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on a PC or Mac - Microsoft Support.
4. Visit Free Microsoft 365 Online | Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Open your file and see if you can edit it successfully. If so, you can use Office Online as a temporary alternative.

If the problem still exists, due to limited information and the many reasons for the problem, we may require more detailed information from you. The valuable pointers you provide are essential for troubleshooting:

• Windows version: Press the Windows logo key+ R, type winver in the Openbox, and then select OK. Excel version: Open Excel > select Account > About Excel. Share us with the screenshots.

Please tell us what steps you have tried and the results you have produced. And don't forget to answer the previous questions. Once we receive your response, we may recommend further troubleshooting steps.

Feel free to post back if you need further assistance. 

Best wishes,

Lucia Wu - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist