How do I fix a Broken Spinner which goes up instead of down

Question

There are several spin buttons in my Excel file are not functioning properly. Intermittently, the down arrow on the spin button increases the value in the linked cell instead of decreasing it. I haven't noticed a pattern as to when the buttons malfunction; it appears to be random but I'm guessing it probably isn't. Can someone help?

Answer 1

Dear @Tim Walker,

Thank you for contacting the Microsoft 365 Q&A Forum Community Support team. I understand how frustrating it is when a spin button behaves unexpectedly, especially when the down arrow increases the value instead of decreasing it. I appreciate the detailed description of the issue. 

This specific behavior is a known graphical glitch in Excel related to Smooth Scrolling and high-resolution displays. When a row is partially scrolled off the top of the screen, the "hit area" of the spin button can become misaligned, causing Excel to misinterpret a downward click as an upward one. 

To help me narrow down the cause, could you please provide the following details?   

• What version of Excel are you using? 
• Are there any specific actions that seem to trigger the spin button issue? 
• Is this problem occurring in other Excel files, or just one in particular? 
• Have you made any recent changes to the Excel file or your system (updates, new applications, etc.)? 

In the meantime, please try the following official troubleshooting steps which usually resolve issues with basic issues:  

Step 1: The "Quick Refresh" fix 

Since this is often a UI rendering error, you can force Excel to recalculate the button's position: 

• Adjust Zoom: Change the zoom level (e.g., from 100% to 90% and back). This usually resets the control's alignment. 
• Ensure the row containing the spin button is fully visible. If the row is "cut off" at the top of the window, the click detection often fails. 

Step 2: Verify control properties 

To rule out configuration issues, please double-check these settings: 

• Right-click the button and select Format Control. 
• In the Control tab, ensure the Minimum value and Maximum value are correct and that the Incremental change is set to a positive number (usually 1). 
• Confirm the Cell link is not overlapping with other controls. 

For more details, refer to: Resize or format a control on a worksheet - Microsoft Support 

Step 3: System maintenance 

If the issue persists across all files, it may be a software conflict: 

Update Excel: Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now. 

Office Repair:  

• Close all Office apps. 
• Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program. 
• Select Microsoft 365 or Office and click Change. 
• Choose Online Repair and follow the prompts. 

For more details, refer to: Repair an Office application - Microsoft Support 

Step 4: Remove Add-in 

Sometimes, add-ins can cause unexpected behavior in Excel. Try disabling any add-ins to see if that resolves the issue. You can manage add-ins by going to File > Options > Add-ins. 

• At the bottom, next to Manage, select Excel Add-ins and click Go....  
• Uncheck the box next to Solver Add-in and click OK.  
• Completely close Excel and then reopen it.  
• Go back to the same File > Options > Add-ins menu.  
• Re-check the box next to Solver Add-in and click OK.  

Now, try running Solver again. For many users, this simple reset fixes the problem.  

Step 5: Test in Safe Mode 

Start Excel in Safe Mode to see if the issue occurs there. This can help identify if third-party components are causing the problem. To do this, hold down the Ctrl key while launching Excel until prompted. 

I sincerely hope one of these methods helps you resolve the issue. Please let me know if further assistance is needed.  

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Answer 2

To troubleshoot a broken spinner (spin button) in Excel that increases the value instead of decreasing it when the down arrow is clicked, consider the following steps:

1. Check the Linked Cell: Ensure that the spin button is correctly linked to the intended cell. If the link is incorrect, it may cause unexpected behavior.
2. Inspect Spin Button Properties: Right-click on the spin button and select "Format Control." Verify that the settings for the minimum and maximum values are set correctly. If the maximum value is lower than the minimum, it can lead to erratic behavior.
3. Event Code Review: If you are using VBA, check the code associated with the spin button. Ensure that the SpinUp and SpinDown events are correctly implemented. For example:

      Private Sub SpinButton1_SpinDown() 
          Me.TextBox1.Value = Me.TextBox1.Value - 1 
      End Sub
      
      Private Sub SpinButton1_SpinUp() 
          Me.TextBox1.Value = Me.TextBox1.Value + 1 
      End Sub
   

   Ensure that the logic in these events is correct and that they are not inadvertently causing the value to increase when the down button is pressed.
4. Check for Conflicting Controls: If there are multiple spin buttons or controls on the same sheet, ensure they are not interfering with each other. Sometimes, overlapping controls can cause unexpected behavior.
5. Excel Version and Updates: Ensure that your Excel application is up to date. Sometimes bugs are fixed in newer versions, so updating may resolve the issue.

If the problem persists after these checks, consider recreating the spin button or consulting Excel support for further assistance.

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References:

• SpinDown, SpinUp events
• Using ActiveX Controls on Word Documents