Checkbox in insert tab is gone with last update

Question

Based on this Excel user guide written by Microsoft Using check boxes in Excel - Microsoft Support

One can insert checkboxes using the Insert tab. I have been doing this for weeks. But with the recent update, the button has disappeared. {Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2408 Build 16.0.17928.20512) 64-bit}

Not only that, but every file I made using the checkboxes have now replaced the checkbox with "TRUE" or "FALSE". Most of these files were used as forms for other users and have been copied and share across different sites. I can no longer access every file to replace with developer checkbox and most users are not tech savvy enough to replace all the checkboxes themselves with developer. (Especially since the "TRUE" or "FALSE" value needs to be linked the correct cell or the whole form breaks.)

I need a simple solution that explains how to add back ALL the checkboxes to the same positions and same linked cells as the Insert tab checkbox did. Or how to revert back to the previous version of excel were the Insert tab checkbox worked.

Thanks,

Answer 1

Hello Shelby_7891,

Unfortunately, we are facing issues with every step.

Step 1: Check If the Checkbox Option Has Moved

• Its not in Illustrations → Shapes
• It is in Developer tab → Controls → Checkbox but as it has been pointed out requires manual linking, so I cannot ask all the users to do this themselves. Also this developer checkbox is a different formatted checkbox from insert. The checkboxes from developer float verse being locked in the cell to reduce the risk of user error.

Step 2: Try Re-enabling the Insert Tab Checkbox

• As shown in the image from the 1st post, the Insert tab → Controls is blank. I don't see anything that shows that it disabled. Can you please go into more details about how to enable it?

Step 3: Restore Your Checkboxes in Existing Files

• The previous file versions also have "True" or "False" now. As if this version of the Insert checkbox is completely gone.

Step 4: Roll Back to the Previous Version of Excel

• Our IT team has notified me that we cannot roll back all of the affected department's computers since it would pose a security risk.

Do you know if this issue being work on the next patch? If not, is there a way for us report this?

Thanks,

Answer 2

Hello Victoria,

Welcome to Microsoft support community!

I'm sorry to hear about the issues you're having with your Checkbox in excel are missing.

Here are the steps, you can try the following steps:

Step 1: Check If the Checkbox Option Has Moved

• Open Excel and go to the Insert tab.
• Look under Illustrations → Shapes (sometimes checkboxes get reclassified).
• If you can’t find it, go to Developer tab → Controls → Checkbox (this method requires manual linking).

Step 2: Try Re-enabling the Insert Tab Checkbox

• Go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon.
• Check if anything related to Form Controls is disabled.
• Enable missing elements and restart Excel.

Step 3: Restore Your Checkboxes in Existing Files

• If all checkboxes have been replaced with "TRUE" or "FALSE":
  • Try Undo (Ctrl + Z) immediately if you haven’t closed the file.
  • Check if your file was saved with a previous version by going to File → Info → Version History.

Step 4: Roll Back to the Previous Version of Excel

• If the update caused the issue, you could revert to an earlier version:
  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) (Win + X, select Terminal (Admin)).
  2. Type the following command: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17827.20138 (This rolls back Excel to an earlier working version; replace the version number with a stable previous version.)
  3. Restart Excel and test if the checkboxes are back.

If the issue persists after following these steps, you can contact Microsoft Support for further assistance by visiting the Microsoft support website and selecting the appropriate contact option for Microsoft 365.

Microsoft Support

Contact us - Microsoft Support

Support phone numbers - Microsoft Support

Best regards,

Shelby_7891| Microsoft Community Support Specialist