Shortcut Ctrl + Page Up / Down Stopped Working

**HelenStrand** · 12-16-2008, 06:16 AM

I have protected one of the worksheets in my workbook, so that it's only possible to select unlocked cells.

If I start on an unprotected sheet, then I can use Ctrl + Page Up / Down to navigate to the protected sheet as usual.

However, once I'm in the protected sheet, I get stuck there and the shortcut stops working. Instead of navigating to the next sheet, the shortcut moves me over to column AF in the same sheet!

What's happening!?!

Thanks, Helen

PS I haven't had any suggestions yet. So I've attached an example workbook. If you open it up and try navigating through the sheets with Ctrl + Page Down, you'll see it doesn't work. I would really appreciate an explanation for why the shortcut doesn't work anymore. Anyone any ideas?? Is there any way I can work round it to make the shortcut key work again?

Thanks again, Helen

Hello again . . .

It seems the shortcut for navigating between sheets will work if I allow the user to "select unlocked cells" and "select locked cells" when I protect the sheet. That way the user needs to tab between the unlocked cells instead of using the arrow keys. But at least the navigation shortcut between sheets doesn't stop working!

I would still be interested to hear from anyone who has any ideas about why the shortcut stops working if I don't allow the user to "select locked cells". Is it just one of the those funny Excel inconsistencies???

Thanks for those of you who pondered over this query. /Helen

**jkresch** · 12-17-2008, 01:26 PM

I see what you mean.....When you protect the worksheet, the tab is considered part of the worksheet and must lock just like a cell would. When you allow the user the select locked and unlocked cells, it must default the tab to unlock thereby returning the shortcut back to enabled. I've never noticed this before, it's very interesting.

**ChemistB** · 12-17-2008, 01:40 PM

I am on Excel 2000 and it is not giving me any problems. I assume you're on 2003? What protection options have you chosen on this uploaded sheet?

**HelenStrand** · 12-18-2008, 03:54 AM

Yes, I'm on 2003. I wanted the protection level to be only "select unlocked cells". I didn't tick any other user allow options. That seems to be a problem in 2003! Just another one of Excel's idiosyncrasies??

**jkresch** · 12-18-2008, 08:24 PM

It must have carried over to Excel 2007 because that's what I'm using.

**Scorpion_WR** · 03-25-2009, 10:31 AM

I did find one work around of sorts. If you hold SHIFT, CTRL, and Page Down, it will go to the next sheet (selecting both), but from the 2nd sheet, you can CTRL + PG Down to other sheets from there.

**pughmd** · 07-10-2009, 04:33 PM

I'm using Excel 2007 and was having the same problem. When protecting the sheet, check the option "Select locked cells" (the first option). You can't use CTRL + PAGE UP / PAGE DN to leave a page that doesn't allow it's users to select locked cells.

For instance, if one protected sheet allows users to select locked cells and another doesn't...you'll get stuck on the one that doesn't.