[Excel Fix] Worksheet Scrolls, Can’t Move Between Cells Using Arrow Keys

Today an AskVG reader contacted us regarding a very annoying problem. The reader was using Microsoft Excel program (part of Microsoft Office suite) and whenever he was trying to move between cells using Up and Down arrow keys, the whole worksheet/spreadsheet was scrolling up and down. He was unable to navigate between cells using arrow keys.

Actually if we are working on a worksheet in MS Excel, we can move from one cell to another cell using arrow keys on our keyboard but when this problem occurs, we can’t switch between cells using arrow keys. The whole worksheet i.e. page or screen moves up and down instead of moving between cells.

If you are also facing this problem in Microsoft Excel program, this tutorial will help you in fixing the issue.

Actually this issue occurs if Scroll Lock (ScrLk) key was pressed accidentally by the user and Scroll Lock mode was turned on. Once Scroll Lock is enabled, Microsoft Excel moves the whole worksheet up and down instead of moving between cells when you press Up and Down keys.

Microsoft Excel also shows an alert in Status Bar when Scroll Lock is turned on. Following screenshot shows Scroll Lock alert displaying in MS Excel status bar:

To fix this issue, you just need to turn off Scroll Lock. Look for the “ScrLk” key on your keyboard and press it once to disable Scroll Lock.

Once you turn off Scroll Lock, MS Excel will remove the Scroll Lock alert from status bar and you’ll be able to switch between cells again using arrow keys.

If you don’t have ScrLk key on your keyboard, you can open On-Screen Keyboard using All Programs menu, using Start Menu search or using OSK.EXE command and then turn off ScrLk key by clicking on it.

BONUS TIP:

If you often press Scroll Lock key accidentally on your keyboard, you can permanently disable the Scroll Lock key on your keyboard using a freeware called Sharp Keys.

Check out following tutorial to learn how to disable any key on your keyboard using this software:

[Tip] Disable or Customize Keys in Your Keyboard Using Sharp Keys

Also Check:

[Did You Know] Microsoft Excel has a Limit of Maximum 1,048,576 Rows and 16,384 Columns