Why can't I insert a row in my worksheet?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I am trying to insert a row of simple data into my worksheet. When I do, I
get the following message:

"This operation is not allowed. The operation is attempting to shift cells
in a list on your worksheet."

I don't understand this. I have created lists from the worksheet but don't
have any now. Why does it think I have a list on my worksheet? And, if I have
one, how do I remove it?

I couldn't find anything on this in the knowledge base and am very
frustrated. Thanks for any help.
 
Hi Susan
It sounds like the location your are trying to insert a row has merged cells
in it.
You will need to either unmerge the cells or go 1 row above or below the
merged area.

HTH
Michael
 
I don't have any merged cells, at least not that I know of or that I
intended. I have created lists from this worksheet and wonder if it thinks I
still have a list open, but don't know how to correct for that.

I tried locating the row above and below where I need it----it didn't work.
Thanks for trying.
 
OK
Are the some of the toolbars greyed out ??
If so, I would suggest that you're sheet is protected and needs to be
unprotected.
"The shift cells error " definately appears when there are merged cells

HTH
Michael M
 
Well, I hate to be difficult but it's still not working. None of the toolbars
are grayed out. The sheet is not protected (I double-checked) and the cells
are not merged (I double-checked on that, too).

But here's some more information I'm gleaning as I work with this: I have
created lists from the columns of this worksheet. On the column headings
where I have previously created lists, I click on the heading and get the
drop down list--as though the list is still there and part of the worksheet.
I think that is why I can't add a row----a row cuts across those columns that
think they still have lists.

Does that make any sense? I think I need to somehow get rid of the lists or
convince the worksheet that I don't care about that.

Thanks for the efforts so far.....

Susan
 
Well, after all that.....I figured it out! I clicked on the columns that were
lists and used the list drop down menu----clicked on "change to range" (I
still don't know what that means). At any rate, the worksheet no longer has
lists attached and I was able to add the row.

Thanks for the help.
 
Are you able to delete a row ?

Then it must be you lsits.

I've recreated your problem by giving a cell data validation with a list
And using a whole column for that list

Rows can be inserted, deleted - until you put a value in the last row !

Check the list definitions - guess some of them refer to columns

Now in normal case the empty cells of the column will be *empty*
but maybe you filled the column with blanks or or or

Steve
 
Good,
I posted a reply before I read yours
But I think you must have a later version of Excel than me (2000)
as I don't get any of your List menus, etc etc.

Anyway glad you got it sorted.
Steve
 
You may have found one of the quirks about an array formula somewhere in the
range that you are trying to add to.
 
Back
Top