XL won't let me insert columns

I'm trying to insert columns into a spread sheet. It lets me insert 2.
From then on it won't let me insert any more.
It says: "to prevent loss of data, Microsoft Excel cannot shift
nonblank cells off the worksheet. Try to delete or clear the cells to
the right and below your data. then select A1, and save your workbook
to reset the last cell used. Or you can move the data to a new
location and try again." I've tried those things and they don't work.


What does?


--
TROUBLE

If you click <End><Home>, in which column does your cursor end up?

"TROUBLE" wrote:

>
> I'm trying to insert columns into a spread sheet. It lets me insert 2.
> From then on it won't let me insert any more.
> It says: "to prevent loss of data, Microsoft Excel cannot shift
> nonblank cells off the worksheet. Try to delete or clear the cells to
> the right and below your data. then select A1, and save your workbook
> to reset the last cell used. Or you can move the data to a new
> location and try again." I've tried those things and they don't work.
>
>
> What does?
>
>
> --
> TROUBLE
>

If I press "home" on the keyboard, the box ends up in the "A" column
coresponding to the row it was in. If I press "end" + "home", the
cursor box goes to row 1955, column IT.



kassie Wrote:
> If you click EndHome, in which column does your cursor end up?
>
> "TROUBLE" wrote:
>
>
> I'm trying to insert columns into a spread sheet. It lets me insert
> 2.
> From then on it won't let me insert any more.
> It says: "to prevent loss of data, Microsoft Excel cannot shift
> nonblank cells off the worksheet. Try to delete or clear the cells
> to
> the right and below your data. then select A1, and save your
> workbook
> to reset the last cell used. Or you can move the data to a new
> location and try again." I've tried those things and they don't
> work.
>
>
> What does?
>
>
> --
> TROUBLE
>


--
TROUBLE

Since column IV is the last one in the sheet, small wonder you are getting
this message! Are you using all the columns from A to IT, and all the rows
from 1 to 1955? If not, then go to the last cell you have actually used, say
for example AG1058, delete all the columns to the right of that, and all the
rows below that. save your file and press <End><Home> again. If you have
used all the columns up to IT, you cannot insert any more columns, I'm afraid!

"TROUBLE" wrote:

>
> If I press "home" on the keyboard, the box ends up in the "A" column
> coresponding to the row it was in. If I press "end" + "home", the
> cursor box goes to row 1955, column IT.
>
>
>
> kassie Wrote:
> > If you click EndHome, in which column does your cursor end up?
> >
> > "TROUBLE" wrote:
> >
> >
> > I'm trying to insert columns into a spread sheet. It lets me insert
> > 2.
> > From then on it won't let me insert any more.
> > It says: "to prevent loss of data, Microsoft Excel cannot shift
> > nonblank cells off the worksheet. Try to delete or clear the cells
> > to
> > the right and below your data. then select A1, and save your
> > workbook
> > to reset the last cell used. Or you can move the data to a new
> > location and try again." I've tried those things and they don't
> > work.
> >
> >
> > What does?
> >
> >
> > --
> > TROUBLE
> >
>
>
> --
> TROUBLE
>

That seems to be the problem. All the columns up to IV are formatted.
So if I add or try to add columns, it would push the formatted columns
off and Excel won't let it do that.
Some of the sheets are locked and it won't let you "clean out" the
format.
Thank you for your help!


kassie Wrote:
> Since column IV is the last one in the sheet, small wonder you are
> getting
> this message! Are you using all the columns from A to IT, and all the
> rows
> from 1 to 1955? If not, then go to the last cell you have actually
> used, say
> for example AG1058, delete all the columns to the right of that, and
> all the
> rows below that. save your file and press EndHome again. If you have
> used all the columns up to IT, you cannot insert any more columns, I'm
> afraid!
>
> "TROUBLE" wrote:
>
>
> If I press "home" on the keyboard, the box ends up in the "A" column
> coresponding to the row it was in. If I press "end" + "home", the
> cursor box goes to row 1955, column IT.
>
>
>
> kassie Wrote:
> If you click EndHome, in which column does your cursor end up?
>
> "TROUBLE" wrote:
>
>
> I'm trying to insert columns into a spread sheet. It lets me insert
> 2.
> From then on it won't let me insert any more.
> It says: "to prevent loss of data, Microsoft Excel cannot shift
> nonblank cells off the worksheet. Try to delete or clear the cells
> to
> the right and below your data. then select A1, and save your
> workbook
> to reset the last cell used. Or you can move the data to a new
> location and try again." I've tried those things and they don't
> work.
>
>
> What does?
>
>
> --
> TROUBLE
>
>
>
> --
> TROUBLE
>


--
TROUBLE

I am also having this problem of excel not allowing cut/copy columns/rows and insert columns or rows but it has nothing to do with having used up all of excel's column capability. I perform data analysis for outside parties, and this problem just started for me. I'm wondering if it has something to do with an outside data system exporting data to older excel formats and forwarding to me. Can anyone help me to change the imported worksheets? Carolo7

Hello Carolo7.

You have inadvertently broken one of the forum rules. Please read the following and make the necessary change. Thanks.

Your post does not comply with Rule 2 of our Forum RULES. Don't post a question in the thread of another member -- start your own thread. If you feel it's particularly relevant, provide a link to the other thread. It makes sense to have a new thread for your question because a thread with numerous replies can be off putting & difficult to pick out relevant replies.

OK, I was trying not to bother you, but I've spent 15 minutes looking for 'Post a New Thread' button, and cannot find where I can start a new thread with my question. Thanks, Carol

Hi Carol

Go to the Excel General sub-forum (http://www.excelforum.com/excel-general/) and look for the blue "+ Post New Thread" button near the top left corner.