Urgent help needed PLEASE

Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.

I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am holding
down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I move the
mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking & dragging to
highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab at the bottom
I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left mouse button to drag
the position of the tab. No matter which case I cannot de-select this, I am
stuck in this position an Excel is effectively useless. I can't chose a
pull down menu or even click the X in the upper right to exit the program.
The only way to get out is to ctl-alt-del & choose end program from the task
manager (even then an error message comes up that says Excel cannot be shut
down) thank goodness when I click okay to that box it does close. Again, no
problems with any other programs. When Excel is locked up I can click on
the window of any other program and run it normally.

--
Thanks in advance... Bob

This is a *not* uncommon problem.

http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/ghosting.txt

--
HTH,

RD

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the NewsGroup, so all may benefit !
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
>
> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
holding
> down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I move the
> mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking & dragging
to
> highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab at the
bottom
> I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left mouse button to
drag
> the position of the tab. No matter which case I cannot de-select this, I
am
> stuck in this position an Excel is effectively useless. I can't chose a
> pull down menu or even click the X in the upper right to exit the program.
> The only way to get out is to ctl-alt-del & choose end program from the
task
> manager (even then an error message comes up that says Excel cannot be
shut
> down) thank goodness when I click okay to that box it does close. Again,
no
> problems with any other programs. When Excel is locked up I can click on
> the window of any other program and run it normally.
>
> --
> Thanks in advance... Bob
>
>

This link doesn't seem to help. I have always been very leery of editing
the registry (previous response below) but will do so if others also think
this may solve the problem (and do no harm).
**********
Excel may have become corrupted. Try restore the registry settings by
doing the following...

1. Select START or press the Windows key.
2. Select RUN
3. Type in the box EXCEL.EXE/RegServer

If this doesn't work then repaet steps 1 and 2. Change step 3 to bring
Excel up in Safe Mode.

3. Type EXCEL.EXE/S

If all else fails, you may have to reinstall Excel.


--
Leith Ross
*******************
Thanks guys... Please let me know what you think.

Bob
"Ragdyer" <RagDyer@cutoutmsn.com> wrote in message
news:emZK8uqDGHA.1508@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> This is a *not* uncommon problem.
>
> http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/ghosting.txt
>
> --
> HTH,
>
> RD
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please keep all correspondence within the NewsGroup, so all may benefit !
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> "Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
>> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
>>
>> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
>> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
>> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
> holding
>> down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I move the
>> mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking & dragging
> to
>> highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab at the
> bottom
>> I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left mouse button to
> drag
>> the position of the tab. No matter which case I cannot de-select this, I
> am
>> stuck in this position an Excel is effectively useless. I can't chose a
>> pull down menu or even click the X in the upper right to exit the
>> program.
>> The only way to get out is to ctl-alt-del & choose end program from the
> task
>> manager (even then an error message comes up that says Excel cannot be
> shut
>> down) thank goodness when I click okay to that box it does close. Again,
> no
>> problems with any other programs. When Excel is locked up I can click on
>> the window of any other program and run it normally.
>>
>> --
>> Thanks in advance... Bob
>>
>>
>

Check your scroll lock key.

--
John
johnf202 at hot mail dot com


"Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
>
> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
> holding down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I
> move the mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking &
> dragging to highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab
> at the bottom I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left
> mouse button to drag the position of the tab. No matter which case I
> cannot de-select this, I am stuck in this position an Excel is effectively
> useless. I can't chose a pull down menu or even click the X in the upper
> right to exit the program. The only way to get out is to ctl-alt-del &
> choose end program from the task manager (even then an error message comes
> up that says Excel cannot be shut down) thank goodness when I click okay
> to that box it does close. Again, no problems with any other programs.
> When Excel is locked up I can click on the window of any other program and
> run it normally.
>
> --
> Thanks in advance... Bob
>

Sorry, that should be F8. Toggles extend mode on/off.

--
John
johnf202 at hot mail dot com


"Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
>
> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
> holding down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I
> move the mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking &
> dragging to highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab
> at the bottom I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left
> mouse button to drag the position of the tab. No matter which case I
> cannot de-select this, I am stuck in this position an Excel is effectively
> useless. I can't chose a pull down menu or even click the X in the upper
> right to exit the program. The only way to get out is to ctl-alt-del &
> choose end program from the task manager (even then an error message comes
> up that says Excel cannot be shut down) thank goodness when I click okay
> to that box it does close. Again, no problems with any other programs.
> When Excel is locked up I can click on the window of any other program and
> run it normally.
>
> --
> Thanks in advance... Bob
>

NG - It's fine in all other programs.

Bob
"jaf" <me@here.com> wrote in message
news:%230F7dLsDGHA.1264@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Check your scroll lock key.
>
> --
> John
> johnf202 at hot mail dot com
>
>
> "Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
>> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
>>
>> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
>> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
>> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
>> holding down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I
>> move the mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking &
>> dragging to highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab
>> at the bottom I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left
>> mouse button to drag the position of the tab. No matter which case I
>> cannot de-select this, I am stuck in this position an Excel is
>> effectively useless. I can't chose a pull down menu or even click the X
>> in the upper right to exit the program. The only way to get out is to
>> ctl-alt-del & choose end program from the task manager (even then an
>> error message comes up that says Excel cannot be shut down) thank
>> goodness when I click okay to that box it does close. Again, no problems
>> with any other programs. When Excel is locked up I can click on the
>> window of any other program and run it normally.
>>
>> --
>> Thanks in advance... Bob
>>
>
>

Tried it. NG

Bob

"jaf" <me@here.com> wrote in message
news:uVLugNsDGHA.3828@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> Sorry, that should be F8. Toggles extend mode on/off.
>
> --
> John
> johnf202 at hot mail dot com
>
>
> "Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
>> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
>>
>> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
>> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
>> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
>> holding down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I
>> move the mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking &
>> dragging to highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab
>> at the bottom I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left
>> mouse button to drag the position of the tab. No matter which case I
>> cannot de-select this, I am stuck in this position an Excel is
>> effectively useless. I can't chose a pull down menu or even click the X
>> in the upper right to exit the program. The only way to get out is to
>> ctl-alt-del & choose end program from the task manager (even then an
>> error message comes up that says Excel cannot be shut down) thank
>> goodness when I click okay to that box it does close. Again, no problems
>> with any other programs. When Excel is locked up I can click on the
>> window of any other program and run it normally.
>>
>> --
>> Thanks in advance... Bob
>>
>
>

None of the other suggestions have worked. I even tried re-installing Excel
and that didn't work either! I know it sounds like hardware but all other
programs work fine. Should your registry fix have been corrected when I
reinstalled Excel or do you think it will still work?

Perplexed... Bob

"Leith Ross" <Leith.Ross.20y3ga_1136100901.0527@excelforum-nospam.com> wrote
in message news:Leith.Ross.20y3ga_1136100901.0527@excelforum-nospam.com...
>
> Hello Bob,
>
> Excel may have become corrupted. Try restore the registry settings by
> doing the following...
>
> 1. Select START or press the Windows key.
> 2. Select RUN
> 3. Type in the box EXCEL.EXE/RegServer
>
> If this doesn't work then repaet steps 1 and 2. Change step 3 to bring
> Excel up in Safe Mode.
>
> 3. Type EXCEL.EXE/S
>
> If all else fails, you may have to reinstall Excel.
>
>
> --
> Leith Ross
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Leith Ross's Profile:
> http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=18465
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=497221
>

For what is worth I just opened one of the Excel files using the spreadsheet
module of Open Office and it works fine.

Bob

"Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
news:gVTtf.70561$sg5.38121@dukeread12...
> None of the other suggestions have worked. I even tried re-installing
> Excel and that didn't work either! I know it sounds like hardware but all
> other programs work fine. Should your registry fix have been corrected
> when I reinstalled Excel or do you think it will still work?
>
> Perplexed... Bob
>
> "Leith Ross" <Leith.Ross.20y3ga_1136100901.0527@excelforum-nospam.com>
> wrote in message
> news:Leith.Ross.20y3ga_1136100901.0527@excelforum-nospam.com...
>>
>> Hello Bob,
>>
>> Excel may have become corrupted. Try restore the registry settings by
>> doing the following...
>>
>> 1. Select START or press the Windows key.
>> 2. Select RUN
>> 3. Type in the box EXCEL.EXE/RegServer
>>
>> If this doesn't work then repaet steps 1 and 2. Change step 3 to bring
>> Excel up in Safe Mode.
>>
>> 3. Type EXCEL.EXE/S
>>
>> If all else fails, you may have to reinstall Excel.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Leith Ross
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Leith Ross's Profile:
>> http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=18465
>> View this thread:
>> http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=497221
>>
>
>

On the rare occasions that it's happened to me, I've been able to get out of
it by *clicking* the mouse *wheel*, *NOT* rolling it.

There have been numerous posts in these groups, where each respondent had
his/her own little way of eliminating this "quirk".

Try what I said, or switch your mouse with another machine.

AFAIK, there is *no one*, fool-proof way to solve this!
--
Regards,

RD

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the NewsGroup, so all may benefit !
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
news:vPNtf.70539$sg5.13038@dukeread12...
> This link doesn't seem to help. I have always been very leery of editing
> the registry (previous response below) but will do so if others also think
> this may solve the problem (and do no harm).
> **********
> Excel may have become corrupted. Try restore the registry settings by
> doing the following...
>
> 1. Select START or press the Windows key.
> 2. Select RUN
> 3. Type in the box EXCEL.EXE/RegServer
>
> If this doesn't work then repaet steps 1 and 2. Change step 3 to bring
> Excel up in Safe Mode.
>
> 3. Type EXCEL.EXE/S
>
> If all else fails, you may have to reinstall Excel.
>
>
> --
> Leith Ross
> *******************
> Thanks guys... Please let me know what you think.
>
> Bob
> "Ragdyer" <RagDyer@cutoutmsn.com> wrote in message
> news:emZK8uqDGHA.1508@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> > This is a *not* uncommon problem.
> >
> > http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/ghosting.txt
> >
> > --
> > HTH,
> >
> > RD
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
> > Please keep all correspondence within the NewsGroup, so all may benefit
!
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
> > "Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
> >> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
> >>
> >> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
> >> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
> >> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
> > holding
> >> down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I move
the
> >> mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking &
dragging
> > to
> >> highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab at the
> > bottom
> >> I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left mouse button to
> > drag
> >> the position of the tab. No matter which case I cannot de-select this,
I
> > am
> >> stuck in this position an Excel is effectively useless. I can't chose
a
> >> pull down menu or even click the X in the upper right to exit the
> >> program.
> >> The only way to get out is to ctl-alt-del & choose end program from the
> > task
> >> manager (even then an error message comes up that says Excel cannot be
> > shut
> >> down) thank goodness when I click okay to that box it does close.
Again,
> > no
> >> problems with any other programs. When Excel is locked up I can click
on
> >> the window of any other program and run it normally.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Thanks in advance... Bob
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>

That didn't work either (I'm tearing out my hair). I was able to open the
important files in Open Office so I am not dead in the water but I still
can't use Excel (even after a reinstall).

Bob

"Ragdyer" <RagDyer@cutoutmsn.com> wrote in message
news:ee63vdvDGHA.344@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> On the rare occasions that it's happened to me, I've been able to get out
> of
> it by *clicking* the mouse *wheel*, *NOT* rolling it.
>
> There have been numerous posts in these groups, where each respondent had
> his/her own little way of eliminating this "quirk".
>
> Try what I said, or switch your mouse with another machine.
>
> AFAIK, there is *no one*, fool-proof way to solve this!
> --
> Regards,
>
> RD
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please keep all correspondence within the NewsGroup, so all may benefit !
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> "Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:vPNtf.70539$sg5.13038@dukeread12...
>> This link doesn't seem to help. I have always been very leery of editing
>> the registry (previous response below) but will do so if others also
>> think
>> this may solve the problem (and do no harm).
>> **********
>> Excel may have become corrupted. Try restore the registry settings by
>> doing the following...
>>
>> 1. Select START or press the Windows key.
>> 2. Select RUN
>> 3. Type in the box EXCEL.EXE/RegServer
>>
>> If this doesn't work then repaet steps 1 and 2. Change step 3 to bring
>> Excel up in Safe Mode.
>>
>> 3. Type EXCEL.EXE/S
>>
>> If all else fails, you may have to reinstall Excel.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Leith Ross
>> *******************
>> Thanks guys... Please let me know what you think.
>>
>> Bob
>> "Ragdyer" <RagDyer@cutoutmsn.com> wrote in message
>> news:emZK8uqDGHA.1508@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> > This is a *not* uncommon problem.
>> >
>> > http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/ghosting.txt
>> >
>> > --
>> > HTH,
>> >
>> > RD
>> >
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -
>> > Please keep all correspondence within the NewsGroup, so all may benefit
> !
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -
>> > "Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
>> > news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
>> >> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
>> >>
>> >> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs
>> >> (inc.
>> >> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or
>> >> existing
>> >> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
>> > holding
>> >> down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I move
> the
>> >> mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking &
> dragging
>> > to
>> >> highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet tab at the
>> > bottom
>> >> I get that little page icon as if I am holding the left mouse button
>> >> to
>> > drag
>> >> the position of the tab. No matter which case I cannot de-select
>> >> this,
> I
>> > am
>> >> stuck in this position an Excel is effectively useless. I can't chose
> a
>> >> pull down menu or even click the X in the upper right to exit the
>> >> program.
>> >> The only way to get out is to ctl-alt-del & choose end program from
>> >> the
>> > task
>> >> manager (even then an error message comes up that says Excel cannot be
>> > shut
>> >> down) thank goodness when I click okay to that box it does close.
> Again,
>> > no
>> >> problems with any other programs. When Excel is locked up I can click
> on
>> >> the window of any other program and run it normally.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Thanks in advance... Bob
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>>
>>
>

New mouse did it. Don't ask me why it didn'y affect other programs. Thanks
for you suggestions.

Bob

"Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
news:OSOtf.70543$sg5.51150@dukeread12...
> Tried it. NG
>
> Bob
>
> "jaf" <me@here.com> wrote in message
> news:uVLugNsDGHA.3828@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>> Sorry, that should be F8. Toggles extend mode on/off.
>>
>> --
>> John
>> johnf202 at hot mail dot com
>>
>>
>> "Bob Newman" <bob.newman@cox.net> wrote in message
>> news:ZlJtf.70529$sg5.21853@dukeread12...
>>> Excel 2003 - HELP ASAP PLEASE - I need Excel working ASAP.
>>>
>>> I know this sounds like a hardware problem but all other programs (inc.
>>> other spreadsheets) work fine. Whenever I start Excel (new or existing
>>> file) it is as if the 1st place I select (tab or cell) is as if I am
>>> holding down the left mouse button. If my 1st click is on a cell when I
>>> move the mouse it is highlighting a group of cells as if I am clicking &
>>> dragging to highlight a cell area. If my 1st click is on a worksheet
>>> tab at the bottom I get that little page icon as if I am holding the
>>> left mouse button to drag the position of the tab. No matter which case
>>> I cannot de-select this, I am stuck in this position an Excel is
>>> effectively useless. I can't chose a pull down menu or even click the X
>>> in the upper right to exit the program. The only way to get out is to
>>> ctl-alt-del & choose end program from the task manager (even then an
>>> error message comes up that says Excel cannot be shut down) thank
>>> goodness when I click okay to that box it does close. Again, no
>>> problems with any other programs. When Excel is locked up I can click on
>>> the window of any other program and run it normally.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Thanks in advance... Bob
>>>
>>
>>
>
>