Microsoft KB Archive/89792

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Excel: Cell Drag and Drop Locks Unlocked Cells
Last reviewed: April 17, 1996

Article ID: Q89792

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 4.0

SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel, the Drag and Drop feature clears all formatting from the source cells when pasting the cells into the new location. Cells formatted as unlocked, default to locked when cleared. (Unlocked cells in a protected document will become locked cells if you choose Edit, then select Clear All.)

MORE INFORMATION
In Microsoft Excel, you can move a cell or block of cells by selecting the cells and dragging them to the new location. When you drag a cell or block of cells to a new location, Microsoft Excel performs the equivalent of a cut and paste operation. All the data and cell formatting is cut from the source cells and pasted to the destination cells. This clears the source cells of all formatting, including cell protection status.

To avoid losing cell formatting when moving data on a worksheet, use Copy and Paste to move your data, then clear only formulas from the source area.

To move data on a worksheet without losing cell formatting:

 Select the cells in the source area (that is, the data you want to move). From the Edit menu, choose Copy. Move to the destination area.  From the Edit menu, choose Paste. A shortcut to choosing Paste from the Edit menu is to just press ENTER (RETURN on the Macintosh) after moving to the destination area. If you want to paste the copied data more than once, use Paste rather than the ENTER key.  Return to the source area and select the same cells.  From the Edit menu, choose Clear. A shortcut to choosing Clear from the Edit menu is to press the DELETE key (DEL on the Macintosh).  In the Clear dialog box, select the Formulas option. Choose the OK button.</li></ol>

This clears only the data from the cells and leaves the formatting.