How Do I Change Read Only in Excel

Excel Awarding and File FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Excel application and Excel files. For example, "Why does Excel say that my file has links?" and "Why do the cavalcade headerss prove numbers, instead of letters?"

For Macintosh computers, see -- Excel for Mac Resources

1. Start Excel, Open and Shut Files

Files open automatically

Prevent files from opening automatically in Excel

Q: When I outset Excel, why do files open up automatically?

A: To terminate files automatically opening, you lot tin remove a folder name in the Excel options:

• Click the File tab, then click Options
• Click the Avant-garde category, and scroll down to the General section.
• In the box for 'At startup, open all files in', y'all might meet the name of a folder, and its path
• Articulate the folder information from that box (or go to that folder and remove the unwanted files).
• Click OK, to close the Options dialog box.

Check the XLSTARTUP Folders

If there was nothing listed in the Startup box, the unwanted files might have been accidentally saved to one of the XLSTART folders. The location of this folder depends on which Role version is installed. For example, it might be in this path:

 C:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART

To find the binder on your computer, open Windows Explorer, and get to the C drive. In the Search box, tpe "XLSTART", and press Enter.

Remove Unwanted Files

Afterwards you locate the files, in Windows Explorer, go to those folders, and move or delete the unwanted files, to foreclose them from opening automatically when Excel starts.

Compile error in Hidden Module

Q: When I start Excel, why is at that place an fault bulletin "Compile fault in Hidden Module"

A: An add-in with a programming error is causing bug.

1. Choose Tools > Add-ins
2. Note which are checked
3. Uncheck all (but i)
4. Restart Forty
5. If no error, check the next 1 and repeat from pace four

Got the error? Uncheck the one you last checked. If no luck, encounter if there's an .xla file in the startup directory (come across previous tip). Scanner software typically place itself at that place, sometimes with code errors like the one in question.

Not an add-in? It will be a subconscious workbook then.

1. Attempt (in Excel) Windows, Unhide and write downwards which files are listed.
2. Unhide them.
3. Now go to the VBE (press Alt + F11).
4. On the left side there should be the project explorer.
5. Select the commencement projection y'all unhid
6. From the carte du jour choose Debug, compile
7. No Errors? Select the next project listed, repeat 6.

Some of my Excel files have get "read-merely".

Clear out c:\windows\temp directory on the automobile that houses the files, then reboot.

An Excel file began opening ii copies of itself. If I shut ane of the copies, both close. Whatsoever changes made to one copy testify up in the other.

This sounds like you just have ii windows open that are displaying the aforementioned workbook.

Select the window that you desire to shut, and press Ctrl + due west

OR, you tin can close the extra window by clicking the lower of the two X buttons in the upper right corner of the screen (don't click the top 10 button, as that will close Excel). Then save the workbook.

When I click on an Excel file to open up it, the file opens but an error message is displayed that says a file with that proper noun is already open up and that I can not open two files open with the aforementioned proper noun.

If yous are sure information technology's non really happening (you may take Book1 open up and and so effort to open a Book1 from another folder), then attempt re-registering Excel.

1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start push
2. Choose Run
3. Type "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Part\Part\Excel.Exe" /regserver (include the quotes) -- adapt to fit your path.

Other things to check:

1. In Excel, choose Tools>Options.
2. On the General tab, make sure "Ignore Other Applications" is not checked

Why does Excel say my file has links, when I know it doesn't?

Links come up in several flavors. For instance, a workbook could contain links in:

• linked formulas,
• divers names (Insert > Proper name > Define carte du jour),
• objects (buttons, images, etc.) assigned to macros in other workbooks

You might find Bill Manville's free FINDLINK.XLA program useful -- you lot tin can go it from the Excel MVP page, on Stephen Bullen'south web site.

* When I try to open XL, it freezes and all I can do is reboot, OR...
-- Excel crashes on me regularly, what can I practice
-- EXCEL caused an invalid page fault...
-- Illegal Functioning Error when starting Excel

To-Do List:
Try opening Excel without any addins or hidden workbooks:

1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button
2. Choose Run
3. Type "C:\Programme Files\Microsoft Part\Office\Excel.Exe" /Automation (include the quotes) -- suit to fit your path.

If your error disappears, there is either an add-in or a (hidden) workbook that is loaded upon 40's commencement, which is causing problems.

• Try locating the XLSTART directory, move everything from there.
• In 40: Tools, Addins, note the ones checked and uncheck them one at the time, each time restarting XL
• In Forty, Tools, options, general. Check if a path is entered after "Alternating startup file location". Clear information technology.

Another choice is to open XL in Safe way:
"C:\Programme Files\Microsoft Office\Part\Excel.exe" /Safety

Likewise, yous might try:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Excel.exe" /Regserver

Another possible problem is a corruption of your toolbar customisation file:

• Locate all files with extension .xlb
• Rename the extension(due south) to something like .erstwhile
• Now endeavour and start XL again.

Finally, this is what MS has to say:
40: How to Troubleshoot Startup Bug in Microsoft Excel

Excel crashes on opening / endmost / prompts "not enough resource".

This could actually be anything. Considering that, it's remarkably frequently a corrupt toolbar file. Then worth a effort the post-obit:
1. Shut Excel (if it managed to open).
two. Reboot if necessary.
3. Locate all files (with Outset > Search etc) with extension .xlb
4. Rename the extension(s) to something like .old
5. Start XL over again.

How practise I close all the open files in Excel 2013?

In Excel 2013 and later versions, each file opens in a separate window. Unlike earlier unmarried-window versions, there is no Get out button or command, to close all the files, without clicking each window individually.

Here are a few means to shut all open up windows in Excel 2013 and later on versions. Cheers to Alex Blakenburg for suggesting the shortcut options.

i. Add the missing "Close All" and "Exit" commands to the Quick Access Toolbar.

2. Printing the Shift key, and click the Ten at the top correct of one of the Excel windows. You will be prompted to salvage whatever unsaved files, and then all the windows will close.

3. Printing the Alt key, and tap the F cardinal, then tap the 10 key. When you press Alt+F, the File tab is activated. Even though the Ten shortcut doesn't appear in the listing, the Exit command runs when you lot tap Ten.

4. Right-click the Excel icon in the Windows Taskbar, at the bottom of your screen. Then click the Close All Windows command.

NOTE: This but works if the Taskbar has "Always, hide labels" as the setting for "Combine taskbar buttons: To modify that setting, correct-click the Taskbar, and click Taskbar Settings.

Other shortcuts to close Excel Windows

If multiple workbooks are open, whatever of these shortcuts will close the active Excel workbook only

• Alt+F4
• Ctrl+F4
• Ctrl+West

If a unmarried Excel workbook is open:

• Alt+F4 shortcut closes the active Excel window, and also closes Excel.
• Ctrl+F4 and Ctrl+W shortcuts shut the active Excel window, and get out Excel open

2. Worksheet Appearance

Why do column headers show numbers instead of letters?

To come across why this happens, and how to switch the column headings back to letters, watch this brusk video tutorial. The written instructions are beneath the video.

How to Change Column Headings to Messages

Follow the steps beneath, to manually alter column headings back to messages, instead of numbers. If you make this alter frequently, you tin can employ a macro: Macro - Change Column Headings to Letters

Change column headings to letters

1. At the summit of Excel, click the File tab, so click Options.
2. Click the Formulas category
3. Remove the check marking from 'R1C1 reference style'

   

Change column headings to letters in Excel 2003 and earlier versions

1. Choose Tools > Options and select the General tab.
2. Remove the bank check mark from 'R1C1 reference style'

   

How can I change font in column and row headers?

When y'all create a new file in Excel, the row and column headers are displayed in the Normal font for your workbook settings. The Normal font is also used in the worksheet cells, unless you select a different format in the cells.

Y'all could even change the row and column headers to pictures, by irresolute the Normal font to a graphic font, such as Wingdings. Then, instead of referring to cell J1, you tin put adept news in the "Happy Face Folder" cell. Retrieve to format the cells in a non-graphic font, after you change the Normal style.

To modify the Normal font in Excel 2010:

1. On the Excel Ribbon, click the Dwelling house tab
2. In the Styles group, click Prison cell Styles, to open up the Jail cell Styles palette.
3. Right-click on the Normal style, and click Modify

   

4. Click the Format push button, and select the font and font size y'all desire for the Normal style.

   

5. Click OK, twice, to close the dialog boxes.

To alter the Normal font in Excel 2003:

1. On the Excel menu bar, Format, and click Style...
2. In the Style Name drop down list, select Normal, and click Modify
3. Click the Font tab, and select the font and font size y'all want for the Normal style.

   

4. Click OK, twice, to shut the dialog boxes.

How tin I change the color of the canvass tabs?

In Excel 2002, and afterwards versions, y'all can color the sheet tabs. Correct-click on a sail tab, and choose Tab Color ...

Note: When the sheet is selected, the colour will bear witness in a thin strip at the bottom of the canvass tab. The full tab is coloured for non-selected sheets.

How do I lock in my Title Row and continue it visible while I scroll down to meet the rest of my data?

Yous can use the Freeze Panes control to lock rows above the selected row, and columns to the left of the selected cavalcade. Note: If cell A1 is the active cell, the freeze indicate will be in the eye of the Excel window.

To see the steps for freezing the headings with the Freeze Panes command, and the problem with subconscious rows, please spotter this brusque video tutorial. Written instructions for all versions are below the video.

Lock the title row in Excel 2007, and later on versions:

Select the row below the section that y'all want to freeze. Then, on the Ribbon's View tab, click Freeze Panes, and click the Freeze Panes option. There's a very brusk video here that shows how to freeze panes in Excel 2007.

Annotation: Before yous freeze the title rows, make sure that all the rows in the meridian section are visible, if you want to run into them after freezing. For example, if Row i is out of view, yous won't exist able to curl upward to that row later.

To unlock the title row in Excel 2007, and later versions:

On the Ribbon'due south View tab, click Freeze Panes, and click the Unfreeze Panes selection.

Lock the title row in Excel 2003, and earlier versions:

Assuming championship row is 1, select prison cell A2, and then choose Window > Freeze Panes.

To unlock the title row in Excel 2003, and earlier versions:

On the Menu bar, click Window >Unfreeze Panes .

Why did my Freeze Pane settings and gridline settings disappear?

When you lock the title row(s) in identify, every bit described above, those settings should stay in place, if you've saved the file. All the same, sometimes the freeze pane setting, or the gridline setting, disappears, fifty-fifty though you haven't changed the settings.

This can happen if y'all open a 2d window in the same workbook, and then you lot close the original window, which had the settings.

If y'all exercise open a second window in a workbook, make sure to proceed the original window open up, and shut any other windows, when you lot're finished with the multiple windows.

In the screen shot beneath, the original window is on the right, and it has a freeze pane setting (one) and subconscious gridlines (ii). Leave it open up, and close the window at the left, where the default settings are shown.

Why do my scrollbars go to row 500 -- my information ends in cell E50?

Excel may be remembering some data that was in row 500, just has been deleted. To go to the cell which is currently the "Last Cell" in the worksheet, concur the Ctrl fundamental, and press the End primal. If the Final Cell (cell J500 in this instance) is outside the range of cells that is really being used, you can reset the used range, then the scroll bar works correctly.

Note: If whatever cells contain references to the deleted cells, those references volition be replaced with a #REF! error. If you accept cells that are formatted, just outside the range that contains data, the formatting will exist lost.

To manually reset the used range:

1. Select the concluding cell that contains information in the worksheet
2. To delete any unused rows:
   • Movement downward 1 row from the terminal cell with data.
   • Hold the Ctrl and Shift keys, and printing the Down Pointer key
   • Correct-click in the selected cells, and, from the shortcut carte, cull Delete
   • Select Entire Row, click OK.

     

3. To delete whatsoever unused columns:
   • Motility correct one column from the last cell with data.
   • Hold the Ctrl and Shift keys, and printing the Right Arrow key
   • Right-click in the selected cells, and, from the shortcut carte, choose Delete
   • Select Entire Column, click OK.
4. Relieve the file. Note : In older versions of Excel, you may accept to Relieve, so close and re-open the file before the used range is reset.

To programatically reset the used range,

Note: This lawmaking may not work correctly if the worksheet contains merged cells. To cheque your worksheet, you tin can run the TestForMergedCells code.

Sub DeleteUnused()     Dim myLastRow As Long Dim myLastCol Every bit Long Dim wks Every bit Worksheet Dim dummyRng As Range   For Each wks In ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets   With wks     myLastRow = 0     myLastCol = 0     Set dummyRng = .UsedRange     On Fault Resume Adjacent     myLastRow = _       .Cells.Find("*", after:=.Cells(ane), _         LookIn:=xlFormulas, lookat:=xlWhole, _         searchdirection:=xlPrevious, _         searchorder:=xlByRows).Row     myLastCol = _       .Cells.Find("*", later on:=.Cells(1), _         LookIn:=xlFormulas, lookat:=xlWhole, _         searchdirection:=xlPrevious, _         searchorder:=xlByColumns).Cavalcade     On Error GoTo 0      If myLastRow * myLastCol = 0 Then         .Columns.Delete     Else         .Range(.Cells(myLastRow + 1, 1), _           .Cells(.Rows.Count, 1)).EntireRow.Delete         .Range(.Cells(1, myLastCol + 1), _           .Cells(1, .Columns.Count)).EntireColumn.Delete     Stop If   End With Next wks  End Sub  '================================ Sub TestForMergedCells()    Dim AnyMerged Equally Variant    AnyMerged = ActiveSheet.UsedRange.MergeCells    If AnyMerged = False Then       MsgBox "no merged"   ElseIf AnyMerged = True So       MsgBox "all merged"   ElseIf IsNull(AnyMerged) Then       MsgBox "mixture"   Else       MsgBox "never gets here--merely 3 options"   Cease If  Terminate Sub '=====================================

When I employ Fill colour to a cell, I can't see it on the worksheet. Nonetheless, the colour shows up in Impress Preview, or when I print the worksheet. What's incorrect?

If the high contrast setting is turned on y'all won't run into the fill colour. There's data in the following MSKB commodity:
The make full color, the fill up design, or the line color of a WordArt or AutoShape object in an Office certificate does not change
   https://support.microsoft.com/?id=833258

When I apply Fill design to a chart, it looks okay on the worksheet. However, the pattern disappears when I print the worksheet. What's wrong?

Fill up patterns were designed for older printers with depression resolution. Today's printers may impress the patterns in such fine detail, and so small, that the design sometimes disappears. If you actually, need to print patterns, y'all could roll your own, using white rectangles, with transparent edge, and lines, etc.

Create a square that represents one repeat of the pattern. For case, if you want closely spaced vertical lines, draw a 1" white foursquare with 6 vertical one" black lines. Apply the alignment and spacing commands to cease the pattern. Group the objects in each pattern, copy, and paste into the data serial. And then format the serial to have a black edge. If necessary, prepare the Moving picture format (in Fill Furnishings) to Stack. Information technology doesn't look too good on the screen, only prints beautifully

Note: In Excel 2007 the chart feature for Fill Pattern was deprecated. Use Andy Pope'south costless Pattern Fill Add-in to restore the pattern characteristic.

When I hibernate rows, the data disappears from my nautical chart

By default, charts practise not display the data in subconscious rows and columns, but yous tin can modify a setting to brand the data announced in the nautical chart.

To change the setting in Excel 2010:

1. Click on the chart to select it, and on the Excel Ribbon, under Chart Tools, click the Design tab
2. Click the Select Data command, so click the Hidden and Empty Cells push
3. Add a check marker to 'Prove data in subconscious rows and columns'
4. Click OK, twice, to shut the dialog boxes

To change the setting in Excel 2003:

1. Click on the chart to select it, and in the Excel bill of fare bar click Tools | Options
2. On the Chart tab, remove the check marker from 'Plot visible cells only'
3. Click OK, to close the dialog box

How can I change the gridline color on a worksheet?

Instead of leaving the gridlines in their default colour, you can follow these steps to change the color:

1. Click the File tab in the Excel Ribbon, so click Options.
2. Click the Advanced category, then roll downward to run across the 'Brandish options for this worksheet' section
3. Click the drop downwardly pointer for Gridline color, and click on the colour that you lot want, and so click OK to close the window.

How can I hide the Excel Ribbon, to brand more than room on the worksheet?

You can temporarily hide the Ribbon, leaving only the tabs visible.

• To hide the Ribbon commands, double-click on i of the tabs.
• To show the Ribbon commands again, double-click on one of the tabs

You can meet the steps in this short video.

How do I remove the big "Page ane" on my worksheet?

When the worksheet is in Page Interruption Preview style, the page number is shown in the heart of the sheet. You can't remove the number in that view, but y'all tin modify to a unlike view, such as Normal view.

To go back to Normal view:

In Excel 2007 or afterward version, click the Normal icon, at the bottom correct of the Excel window.

Or, on the Ribbon's View Tab, click the Normal control.

3. Excel Limits and Specifications

I demand more than 256 columns and/or 65536 Rows.

In Excel 2003, and earlier versions, that's the limit. Excel 2007 has 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns.

How many worksheets I can put in a workbook?

In that location is non a fix limit in the Excel specifications, only there is a practical one which depends on the computer resources.

How many characters can exist placed in a cell?

In Excel 97 and to a higher place, you can accept up to 32K characters in a worksheet prison cell, but only the first m or and so are displayed (the verbal number depends on your font and display characteristics). However, you can increase the number of characters displayed if you add line breaks in the cell (press Alt+Enter).

4. Passwords and Protection

How can I protect formulas from being deleted or inverse?

Earlier protecting the worksheet:

1. Select all cells that users ARE immune to alter.
2. On the keyboard, printing Ctrl + ane to open the Format Cells dialog box
3. On the Protection tab, remove the bank check mark from Locked.
4. Click OK, to close the dialog box

Protect the worksheet in Excel 2007

1. On the Excel Ribbon, click the Review tab
2. Click Protect Sheet.

Protect the worksheet in Excel 2003

1. Click the Tools menu, then click Protection
2. Click Protect worksheet.

I've lost my password!

Well, in that location are passwords and there are passwords.

• I is to open the file
• one other is to unprotect the worksheet
• withal another is to unprotect the workbook
• however some other one is to unprotect the Excel VBA macro code.

File and VBA passwords cannot be cracked by a "normal macro", workbook and worksheet passwords are fairly easy. A search for "excel password" at https://www.google.com/ volition detect both commercial and free solutions of varying quality and brutality.

How can I protect an Excel file (and associated code) from unauthorized copying and/or create time limited functionality?

In that location is no foolproof method for this, and most solutions limit themselves to require macros enabled on opening. This said, creating your ain system is a fun claiming allowing lots of "evil creativity".

Is in that location a way to let the use of AutoFilter on a protected worksheet?

When y'all protect the sail, add together a check mark to the selection for "Use AutoFilter".

Tin can I prevent people from opening a file without a password?

Aye, you tin can modify a setting, when saving the file, and so it requires a password to open up:

1. Open the file that you want to protect with a countersign
2. On the Ribbon, click the File tab, and click Info
3. Click the Protect Workbook command, then click Encrypt with Password

   

4. In the Encrypt Certificate dialog box, type a password, then click OK.
5. Re-enter the countersign in the confirmation box.

Notation: Microsoft can't assistance you recover lost or forgotten passwords, then keep a list of your passwords in a safe identify, or you could be locked out of a protected file.

5. Entering and Saving Data

When I type a number, it is automatically divided by 100. For example 44 becomes 0.44 even if I format the prison cell without decimals.

To turn off this setting:

• Click the File tab on the Excel Ribbon (or click the Office push button in Excel 2007)
• Click the Options command, then click the Avant-garde category.
• In the Editing Options section, remove the check mark from "Automatically insert a decimal point", and click OK.

Notation: In Excel 2003, go to Tools>Options/Edit and uncheck the Fixed decimals checkbox.

When I clear a large range , information technology takes forever. How can I make it faster?

If you lot have Google Desktop Search installed, turn information technology off in Excel.

How can I prevent hyperlinks from appearing when I type an electronic mail accost?

To turn that selection off in Excel 2007 and later versions:

• Click the File tab on the Ribbon, then click Options
• Click the Proofing category, then click theAutoCorrect Options button
• Click the "AutoFormat every bit you blazon" tab
• Remove the check mark from Internet and network paths with hyperlinks
• Click OK, then close the Options window

NOTE: In Excel 2003, become to Tools | AutoCorrect Options, then change the setting, as described above

To undo the hyperlink creation in all versions:

• Blazon the electronic mail address and printing Enter
• Immediately, printing Ctrl+Z. This is a shortcut for Disengage, and will convert the hyperlink back to text.

To alter a group of cells that contain hyperlinks,

yous tin can use the Convert with Paste Special technique. Picket a brusque video that shows the Change Excel Hyperlinks to Text steps.

The code below, when run on a selection, will also delete the hyperlinks.

Sub delHyperlinks()
Dim myCell As Range
For Each myCell In Choice
myCell.Hyperlinks.Delete
Next myCell
Finish Sub

When I import data from my merchant account the field which holds the sixteen digit credit carte information does not display it properly.

Excel just maintains 15 significant digits for numbers and cannot be used for credit cards which require sixteen digits. If you don't need to exercise math on them, input long numbers into a range that you lot've formatted equally text (Format>Cells, Number tab).

To prevent both of the higher up issues (hyperlinks and 16-digit numbers) -- as well as entries that are automatically converted to dates (due east.k. 3/4) -- type a single quote ( ' ) before the entry. Excel will treat the cell as pure text and change nothing.

I just began to blueprint an intricate spreadsheet and after over an hour got an error message in Excel - which and then airtight automatically. Unfortunately, I did not save my file. Excel did not automatically recover the file. Is in that location anything I can do to get it back?

No. Excel has an Autosave feature that you now might consider start using. (Just then again, you may not desire to overwrite an existing file with every picayune exam you do in information technology, so be conscientious).

Or, get the free Excel Fill-in Tool here on Contextures. It saves a fill-in copy of your workbook, without making whatever changes to the current file.

January Karel Pieterse has an add together-in Autosafe.naught downloadable from https://www.oaltd.co.uk/MVP/Default.htm.

See also David McRitchie's https://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/backup.htm for more on fill-in and recovery.

Finally, Excel has great backup and recovery tools, and then upgrading is a expert futurity solution to those bug.

I accidentally typed something and now Excel is talking to me

Perchance you were using the keyboard to put a line break in a cell, with Alt + Enter. If you accidentally hit the Window key, instead of Alt, that turns on the Windows Narrator in some versions of Windows.

To plough this feature off, press the Window key and tap the Enter cardinal.

| Chief Index

Original FAQs compiled past Harald Staff, Excel MVP 2000-2005. Revisions and additions past Debra Dalgleish.

juhlhicas1978.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.contextures.com/xlfaqApp.html

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