Can't create a chart

[ncarron]

I have a spreadsheet in Excel 2013, and wish to create a chart.

One does this by selecting the desired chart type from the Charts menu, which is part of the INSERT menu ribbon.

But in my case the Chart menu is greyed out. It does not allow me to insert any graph at all.

The Illustrations menu (Shapes, etc.) is also greyed out.

What's going on? I have other spreadsheets of the same type (*.xlsx or *.xlsm) in which all menus on the INSERT ribbon are active.
I'm on a 2 year old Toshiba Tecra, with Win10 fully updated.

[protonLeah]

deleted....

[MrShorty]

My first thought is that you have something selected (something other than a spreadsheet cell/range) that is an invalid precursor to creating a chart (or shape). When these options are greyed out, exactly what is selected or active? Are there any macros or add-ins active that would cause those commands to be unavailable.?

[ncarron]

In reply to MrShorty (of 07-30-2018, 06:59 PM)

No, nothing has been selected (only some blank cell).
There are no macros.
Three add-ins are active:
Analysis ToolPak
Analysis TooPak - VBA
Solver Add-in
but none is actively being used.

Immediately upon loading and opening the spreadsheet, before I've done anything, under the INSERT ribbon the Charts Menu and the Illustrations menu (and the Filters menu) are greyed out.

The problem is still there.
Any other ideas?

[MrShorty]

Immediately upon loading and opening the spreadsheet, before I've done anything, under the INSERT ribbon the Charts Menu and the Illustrations menu (and the Filters menu) are greyed out.

Is it just this one spreadsheet or any spreadsheet? Does it also happen upon opening a new, blank spreadsheet?

I cannot replicate this behavior in my copy of 2007 -- I can open a blank spreadsheet, create a new spreadsheet, or open an existing spreadsheet and always insert a chart immediately after opening the spreadsheet.

Until someone can replicate the behavior, I don't know what suggestions to make. If it occurs with one spreadsheet, then there must be something in that spreadsheet file that disables charting. If it occurs with all spreadsheets (including new, blank spreadsheets), then it is probably something in your Excel installation.

Here's an idea -- what happens if you open Excel in safe mode? https://support.office.com/en-us/art...3-528af4f7ac72

[ncarron]

In reply to MrShorty (of 08-02-2018, 04:24 PM)

Safe mode made no difference. I finally simply copied the entire spreadsheet (page by page) to a new spreadsheet, and all works fine.
The bad spreadsheet originated many Excel versions ago, and complications must have crept in when using new versions as I updated Office.

Thanks for your (attempts to) help.