The Scroll Lock key is enabledExcel is in Formula Entry modeFreeze Panes has locked the visible area of the sheetAn Excel add-in conflict is causing the issueSticky Keys glitch is keeping scroll lock enabledExcel sheet is protectedComplex formulas are processing
The issue with arrows not working in Excel can happen at any time, whether you’re in the middle of editing a worksheet or switching between sheets. This makes it even more difficult to troubleshoot the source of your problem.
Cause of Arrow Keys Not Working in Excel
The most common cause for arrow keys not working in Excel is scroll lock being enabled. This can be especially frustrating if your keyboard doesn’t have a Scroll Lock key, or there is no light indicator showing it’s enabled. Complicating things further, there are a number of other issues that can lead to arrows not working in Excel. So, the best approach is to confirm whether scroll lock is enabled, and if it isn’t, move down the list of other troubleshooting tips.
How to Fix Arrow Keys Not Working in Excel
The following troubleshooting tips are listed in order of the most common to the least common causes for this issue, so working from first to last will solve the problem faster. To get arrow keys working again, press Enter and then Ctrl-Z to undo the current formula. This behavior can be confusing so make sure you understand how to correctly enter data into Excel cells. If you don’t want to unfreeze those panes, you could also try to zoom out the magnification in Excel so that you can use the arrow keys in the section of the spreadsheet that isn’t frozen.
