How to Fix Arrow Keys Not Working in Excel

Normally, you can use your arrow keys to quickly navigate between cells in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. It can be baffling and frustrating when the arrow keys stop working as expected, but there’s usually a simple solution. In this article, we’ll go over all of the most common causes for arrow keys not working in Excel on Windows and Mac, and how to fix them.

Arrow Keys Not Working in Excel: Common Causes

The most common cause for arrow keys not working in Excel is Scroll Lock being enabled. Press your keyboard’s ScrLk key to fix it.
Other causes include worksheet protection, problematic add-ins, or an uncompleted formula entry.
In rare cases, there might be a physical problem with the keyboard itself.

1

Scroll Lock may be enabled.

Download Article

This is the most common reason for arrow key issues in Excel. Enabling Scroll Lock allows you to use the arrow keys to move between rows and columns in your worksheet. However, it will prevent you from moving between individual cells.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source} You can typically disable Scroll Lock by pressing the ScrLk key on your keyboard.
- When Scroll Lock is enabled, you’ll see text that says “Scroll Lock” in the Excel status bar.
- If you’re using a Windows computer with no Scroll Lock key, you can access Scroll Lock through the On-Screen Keyboard. Open the Start menu and search for on-screen keyboard. Click the top result. In the On-Screen Keyboard, click the ScrLk key to disable or enable Scroll Lock.
- Some Macs allow you to enable or disable Scroll Lock by pressing Ctrl + F14 or Fn + Ctrl + F14. If your Mac doesn’t have an F14 key, Scroll Lock is unlikely to be the issue since it’s very complicated to enable it in the first place.

2

Check your add-ins.

Download Article

Some add-ins can interfere with the functioning of the arrow keys. Try turning your add-ins off and see if that helps. The process varies a little depending on which operating system you’re using.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- Windows: Go to File > Options > Add-ins. Select Excel Add-ins under Manage and click Go. Uncheck the boxes next to all your add-ins and click OK. Check to see if the arrow keys are working now.
- Mac: Deactivating or removing add-ins in the Mac version of Excel might be more complicated, depending on where the add-in came from. Typically, you can click the Insert tab, then select My Add-ins > Office Add-ins. Click ••• next to the add-in you want to turn off and click Remove.
  - For some third-party add-ins, you might need to use something like the Microsoft Office Reset Tool to remove them.

3

Turn off Sticky Keys.

Download Article

Turning this setting off (or on!) might solve your issue. In Windows or macOS, you can easily toggle Sticky Keys on or off by pressing Shift 5 times in a row.

4

Exit formula entry mode.

Download Article

Maybe you selected a cell and started to insert a formula, but you haven’t finished entering the arguments. To cancel the operation and deselect the cell so you can navigate with the arrows again, press Esc. Alternatively, complete the formula and press Enter or Return.

5

Disable worksheet protection.

Download Article

Worksheet protection limits what you’re able to do with a spreadsheet. It can affect your ability to select cells or navigate between them with the arrow keys, depending on the protection settings. To disable worksheet protection, click the Review tab, then click Unprotect Sheet.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- If whoever protected the sheet opted to use a password, you’ll need to enter the password to unprotect the sheet.

6

Check for frozen panes.

Download Article

Freezing panes, rows, or columns allows you to keep them on the screen at all times as you scroll through a spreadsheet. To unfreeze these elements so you can navigate as you normally would, click the View tab and select Freeze Panes > Unfreeze Panes.

7

See if there’s an issue with your keyboard.

Download Article

The problem might be with your arrow keys rather than Excel. If your keys are physically sticky or have debris under them, they might not work correctly. You might also need to install new keyboard drivers or update your computer. Test your keyboard with other apps to make sure it’s working correctly.
- If you think there’s an issue with your keyboard, check out our guide to fixing common keyboard problems.

8

Wait for Excel to finish complex operations.

Download Article

The problem might resolve itself. If Excel is in the middle of carrying out a complicated calculation or script, functions like cell navigation could lag. Try waiting a few minutes to see if the issue goes away on its own.
- If Excel is frozen, you might need to restart it. For more serious issues, try uninstalling and reinstalling Excel, or using the Office Repair Tool.