The issue which is the topic of this blog and what you are here for is the inability to insert cells in Excel. You could find yourself unable to add new cells to an Excel spreadsheet while working on it. In most situations, the ostensible ‘problem’ is there to keep data from being lost on your sheet. However, there are certain exceptions, such as when files are corrupted or when the file format you’re using is incompatible.
In this blog, we will be looking at solutions to help users figure out why they can’t insert cells in Excel. We will also address some of the issues that can cause cells not being able to be inserted into Excel so users are more aware of what they are dealing with. Follow the step-by-step process below to see how you can resolve cells not being able to be inserted into Excel.
Step by step process – Can’t insert cells in Excel – How to fix
- On Your Excel sheet, click on “CTL+A – CMD+A”.
- Select “Cells” from the Format drop-down menu on the Home tab.
- Navigate to the “Protection” tab.
- Click the Protection tab in the new window that appears, then unmark the option that reads “Locked.”
- Click the “OK” button.
- Go to the “Review” tab and select “Protect Workbook” or “Protect Sheet” from the drop-down menu.
- Remove the sheet or workbook’s protection by entering your password.
- To save your file, use Ctrl + S. Close the window before reopening it. Inserting a new row/column is now possible. Check to see if it works.
Excel’s cell security feature locks cells to prevent your data from being deleted or changed, preserving the current state of your page or document. As a result, if you have cell protection enabled, you will not be able to create new cells in order to retain your present data. So all you have to do now is turn off the feature.
Factors that can prohibit the addition of cells in Excel
- Protection of cells
For your data in Excel, there are many forms of cell protection. It’s possible that having one active is preventing you from creating a new cell.
- Rows/columns that have been merged
You won’t be able to create a new row or column if you merge whole rows or columns to produce a single cell.
- Formatting for a full row or column
It’s possible that you formatted a whole row/column by accident. This might be the source of the issue you’re experiencing.
- Panes to Freeze
The Freeze Panes option makes data entering and administration easier. It may, however, prohibit you from creating additional cells.
- The entries in the last rows/columns are as follows
If you try to replace items in the sheet’s last row/column, Excel will prevent you from adding new cells in order to prevent data loss.
- A table-formatted data range
When you try to add cells to a chosen region that contains a table and a blank space, you may run into the issue in question.
- Limitations on file formats
In different versions of Excel, multiple file formats are available. Each file format serves a distinct function and has its own set of restrictions. If you’re utilizing a file format with restricted capabilities, you could run into trouble while trying to add additional cells.
- Files obtained from shady sources
Excel frequently prohibits the execution of files from untrusted sources for your safety. It’s possible that the issue you’re seeing is caused by the file itself.
Now that we have seen the various reasons why you can’t add a column or line in Microsoft Excel, let us now go ahead and dive into how to get the issue resolved.
Alternative methods to resolve the issue of cells not being added in Excel
Columns and rows should be unmerged
You may have merged a whole row or column rather than just a few cells, as previously indicated. In this scenario, Excel is set up to prevent your data from being lost by limiting the creation of new cells. The addition of another column is prevented by merging all the cells in a row, and the addition of additional rows is prevented by merging all the cells in a column. The problem may be solved by unmerging the columns and rows.
The panes should be unfrozen
The Freeze Panes feature simplifies referencing by keeping a specified portion of your worksheet visible while scrolling to other parts of the worksheet. The functionality, on the other hand, may prevent the insertion of new rows or columns into the sheet. To unfreeze the frozen panes, follow these steps:
- Select View from the drop-down menu.
- Select Freeze Panes from the drop-down menu.
- Unfreeze Panes may be found on the menu.
- Press Ctrl + S to save your file, then shut it.
- Check to check whether the problem has been resolved by reopening the file.
Unused Rows/Columns Have Their Formatting Removed
Is it possible that the last row/column of your worksheet has no content? That isn’t always the case. Excel will presume that there is content in the row/column if you have highlighted the entire row/column by clicking the header and then applied some formatting (for example, added colour or cell boundaries), and will prohibit you from adding additional cells to prevent data loss. This may be fixed by removing all formatting from the whole row/column.
Step by step process – Can’t insert cells in Excel – How to fix
Step by step breakdown;
- On Your Excel sheet, click on “CTL+A – CMD+A”.
- Select “Cells” from the Format drop-down menu on the Home tab.
- Navigate to the “Protection” tab.
- Click the Protection tab in the new window that appears, then unmark the option that reads “Locked.”
- Click the “OK” button.
- Go to the “Review” tab and select “Protect Workbook” or “Protect Sheet” from the drop-down menu.
- Remove the sheet or workbook’s protection by entering your password.
- To save your file, use Ctrl + S. Close the window before reopening it. Inserting a new row/column is now possible. Check to see if it works.
That’s it for this Blog thank you for taking time out to read our content, please feel free to email our team about how it went if you followed the steps or if you need more help with the questions we answered in this Blog.