Various changes in Excel behaviour that I don't understand

[Blinky99]

I can't pinpoint when this happened, but some functionality is different on my work version of Excel and I don't know why or what caused it. To my recollection, all this stuff happened at the exact same time, so I assume they're related.

Here are the main things I've noticed:

1. All text is now prefixed by an apostrophe, header row is often (but not always) prefixed by caret (^) symbol. I understand the function of using an apostrophe to force text, but this is occurring on everything without my asking. More of a visual annoyance than anything else.

2. Let's say I want to apply a filter and delete multiple rows from a data set. I apply the filter, highlight row 2, and press Shift + End + Down Arrow, where it should go to the last row in the data. But it doesn't, not anymore. It takes me to the last row possible in Excel - 1048576. If I perform the action in reverse from this point (Shift + End + Up Arrow), it jumps back to row 2, like it's ignoring the data in the range. Note: If I select just cell A1 and press End then Down Arrow, it will go to the last cell with data (which is the correct behaviour). The issues is when I'm highlighting the whole row, which is how I've been deleting data from a set for the past decade at work..

3. If I perform this same action, but instead highlight row 1, it will highlight the entire sheet (presumably down to row 1048576), but it will not scroll down the page (this is the same as if you were to have Scroll Lock enabled, but Scroll Lock is most definitely off).

4. If I hide columns in my data, it will automatically unhide all the columns the moment I select the first cell in a formula. Eg. I have figures in column A and in column E that I want to sum, so I hide columns B, C, and D, and in cell E2 I do =A2, the moment I click in to A2, everything inbetween will unhide. No problem in my example here, but when I'm working with 50 columns of data in a large report, this is a huge pain.

This isn't specific to a particular file, it's like this on everything. It's not related to a template file.

I've already had IT reinstall/repair Excel and it's still happening, and Google is showing me nothing since it all appears to be too vague to search effectively.

None of this is prohibiting me from performing work tasks, but it's all extremely frustrating. If anyone has any idea what's going on with this I'd greatly appreciate it. None of this occurs on my personal/home version of Excel, nor has it happened to colleagues at work. I'm on Excel 365 for enterprise, version 2208.

[TMS]

Just a guess but it could be something to do with Lotus Compatibility.

Check File | Options | Advanced and page down to the bottom. Uncheck anything selected in the Lotus Compatibility sections.

[Blinky99]

Just a guess but it could be something to do with Lotus Compatibility.

Check File | Options | Advanced and page down to the bottom. Uncheck anything selected in the Lotus Compatibility sections.

Oh my god this is it, you absolute legend. This has been annoying me for two months!

I've no idea how it was selected (perhaps clumsy fingers!), but I've unchecked "Transition navigation keys" under the Lotus compatibility section, and Excel is now working as it should be. Thank you so much.

[TMS]

You're welcome. Thanks for the rep.


It's never happened to me but I’ve seen the question, and similar, asked before. Nobody EVER knows how the settings got changed. I suspect there's some key combination, or possibly some errant VBA code that has changed it.

Anyway, glad to have helped.

Just out of interest, are you still using 2003? If not, please can you update your profile.