Microsoft KB Archive/161625

= XL97: Cannot Move Among Unlocked Cells in Scroll Area with TAB =

Article ID: 161625

Article Last Modified on 11/23/2006

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

-



This article was previously published under Q161625





SYMPTOMS
When you use a Visual Basic for Applications macro to cycle through unlocked cells, you cannot use the TAB key or arrow keys to move the active cell through the unlocked cells. However, you can select an unlocked cell in the scroll area with the pointer.



CAUSE
This problem occurs when all of the following conditions are true:


 * The macro restricts the scroll area to a specific range of cells by using the ScrollArea property. -and-


 * The worksheet contains multiple (noncontiguous) selections of unlocked cells. -and-


 * You unlock cells outside of the scroll area and use the TAB or arrow key to move between unlocked cells.

The TAB key and arrow keys do not function properly because their functionality is determined by the unlocked cell to the right or below the active cell, and these cells are outside the restricted scroll area.



WORKAROUND
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

To temporarily work around this problem, lock all cells that are outside of the scroll area. To do this, create a Visual Basic macro that limits the cells that can be selected on the worksheet. This macro must unlock cells that can be selected, protect the worksheet, and then restrict the scroll area to encompass the cells that can be viewed.

NOTE: By restricting the scroll area, you cannot select some cells using the TAB key or the arrow keys.

Visual Basic Macro Example
The following example macro locks cells outside of the scroll area on Sheet1 of a new workbook: Sub Set_Restrictions

Dim myArea As Object Dim counter As Integer

Range("B5:C10").Locked = False Range("C14:D16").Locked = False Range("F12:H15").Locked = False

With Worksheets("sheet1") .EnableSelection = xlUnlockedCells .Protect contents:=True, userinterfaceonly:=True .ScrollArea = "a1:e20" End With

Set myArea = Range(Worksheets("sheet1").ScrollArea)

For counter = (myArea.Column + myArea.Columns.Count) To 256 Columns(counter).Locked = True Next counter

End Sub To reset the scroll area and avoid putting restrictions on cells that can be selected, run the following macro: Sub No_Restrictions With Worksheets("sheet1") .EnableSelection = xlNoRestrictions .Protect contents:=False, userinterfaceonly:=True .ScrollArea = "" End With End Sub



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

