XL97: "That Command Cannot Be Used" Inserting Columns or Rows

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In a Microsoft Excel 97 worksheet, if you attempt to insert a new column or row, you may receive the following message:

   That command cannot be used with selections that contain entire rows
   or columns, and also other cells. Try selecting only entire rows,
   entire columns, or just groups of cells.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when all of the following conditions are true:

• You merge cells in a column or row.

  -and-

• You select the entire column or row in which you merged cells.

  -and-

• The column or row that you select contains a merged cell that extends over another column or row that you do not select.

  -and-

• You click Columns or Rows on the Insert menu.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, select a single cell in the column or row in which you merged cells (not the entire column or row), and click Columns or Rows on the Insert menu.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel 97.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel 97 there is a new feature that allows you to merge cells in a worksheet. A cell that you merge acts as one cell, even if it occupies multiple columns or rows. To merge a group of cells, use the following steps:

   1. Select the range of cells that you want to merge.

   2. On the Format menu, click Cells.

   3. Click the Alignment tab.

   4. Select the Merge Cells check box and click OK.

REFERENCES

For more information about merging cells or inserting columns and rows, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   merging, cells

    -or-

   inserting, col