What can I do if I can't see or edit a cell because a control or object covers it?

Symptom

Form controls, ActiveX controls, and other controls or objects obscure cells, which makes it difficult to see or edit the values in those cells.

Cause

Excel always places controls and objects on the drawing canvas, which is a hidden layer that exists above the cell grid on the worksheet.

Resolution

You can do the following:

• Move the control or object to a different location, either temporarily or permanently.

  For more information, see Group, copy, move, or align controls on a worksheet.

• To maintain the current location of an object or control, you can see and edit the contents of the cell by doing the following:

  1. Make sure that the formula bar is visible.

     Display the formula bar

     On the View tab, in the Show/Hide group, select Formula Bar.

     

  2. In the Name box, enter the cell reference.

  3. Edit the contents of the cell in the formula bar.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community, get support in the Answers community, or suggest a new feature or improvement on Excel User Voice.