Microsoft KB Archive/31607

Insert Row or Column Generates “Not A Valid Option” Message PSS ID Number: Q31607 Article last modified on 01-12-1989 PSS database name: D_MPlan

2.x 3.x 4.00

MS-DOS

Summary: When you insert a column into a spreadsheet, Multiplan moves all the columns that follow the inserted column one column to the right. If you have information in any cell at the far right edge of the spreadsheet (Column 255), you will not be able to insert a column in the spreadsheet using the Insert Column command. When you try to do this, Multiplan will generate the message “Not A Valid Option.”

More Information: If Multiplan allowed you to insert a column at this point, it would have to move the contents of the last column out of the spreadsheet, and you would lose data. To determine if you have some information in the last column of the spreadsheet, press the END key (on IBM compatibles). If this action takes you to Column 255, then you have previously placed some information in the 255th column of the spreadsheet. You must blank the cells in the 255th column that contain information before you can insert any new columns. If you want to retain the information in these cells, copy them somewhere else before you blank them. If you do not care whether or not you lose the information in Column 255, you can simply delete the entire column with the Delete Column command. The previous discussion is equally applicable to inserting rows into the spreadsheet (i.e., if you have any information in the bottom row of the spreadsheet, Multiplan will not allow you to perform the Insert Row command). You must first blank the cells in Row 4095 that contain information or delete the row.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1989.