How To Fix F4 Key Not Working In Excel

Whether you might want to change the cell reference or repeat the final motion in Excel, the f4 operate key lets you do each effortlessly. You can use it standalone or with a key mixture to execute varied duties rapidly.

Before transferring on to the fixes under, attempt closing the excel workbook/worksheet and re-open it. Also, verify if the important thing isn’t working for different excel information.

Check for Keyboard Issues

While there could also be technical points behind the F4 key not working, guarantee the important thing truly works. 

Sometimes, filth and dirt accumulate in your keyboard, which stops the keys from being pressed within the first place. Or, you merely have to press tougher for them to work. In this case, clear the keyboard and see if the important thing works.

Also, you’ll be able to verify if the F4 key, particularly, isn’t engaged on websites that take a look at every key on the keyboard.

Check if You Are Doing It Right

On Windows, F4 works otherwise relying on whether or not you might be within the edit mode or not. 

If you simply choose the cell and press F4, you repeat the final single motion. However, for those who edit the cell contents, you cycle by way of the completely different cell references in a method.

To enter the edit mode, press the shortcut key F2 or double-click on the cell. Then, choose an merchandise and press the F4 key to vary its cell reference.

Press the Fn Key together with F4

While F4 merely works for many keyboards, some require you to press the Fn/F-lock key together with it. This is as a result of they’re assigned as media keys reminiscent of quantity up/down or for different functions.

Therefore, you need to press the entire key mixture, Fn + F4, for the specified output. 

On the opposite hand, for those who don’t need to press the Fn key, you’ll be able to disable it out of your BIOS settings. Here’s how you are able to do it.

1. Restart your system and keep urgent one of many operate keys (F1 to F12). Generally, F2 works for many programs. And, if it doesn’t work, press Fn + F2 and accordingly for the opposite operate keys.
2. Under the Configuration tab, choose the “Hotkey Mode.”
3. Choose the Disabled possibility for it.
4. Save and exit the BIOS settings.

Since disabling the Fn/F-lock key varies from one motherboard producer to a different, search for comparable settings reminiscent of operate key habits and motion keys mode. Also, you’ll be able to consult with the device guide or the producer’s official web site.

Use the Correct Keyboard Shortcuts

If you might be using a Mac, you’ll be able to have fully completely different keyboard shortcuts in Excel. So, neither F4 nor Fn+F4 works as anticipated.

However, listed below are a number of the commonest excel keyboard shortcuts equal to F4 on a Mac system.

• Command + Y: Repeat the final motion
• Command + T: Toggle between cell references(absolute, relative, blended)

Disable the Filter keys and Sticky keys

While Filter keys and sticky keys are helpful by way of accessibility, they will alter the keyboard shortcuts. 

Since the filter keys ignore the repeated keystrokes, urgent the F4 key can fail to work for altering the cell references. 

Likewise, for those who use F4 together with the Shift key, you have got a unique output as a result of the sticky keys are enabled.

Therefore, you’ll be able to flip off the filter keys and sticky keys to resolve your problem as follows.

1. Press Windows + R and sort management to open the management panel.
2. Navigate to Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center.
3. Then, click on the Make the keyboard simpler to make use of possibility.
4.  Under the Make it simpler to kind part, uncheck the checkboxes next to Turn on Sticky Keys and Turn on Filter keys.
5. Click Apply and OK.

Update the Keyboard Driver

Using outdated/corrupt keyboard drivers can cease keys from working. Hence, use the most recent device drivers to resolve your points.

Here’s how one can update the keyboard driver:

1. Press Windows + R, kind devmgmt.msc, and click on OK to open the Device Manager.
2. Expand the Keyboards dropdown.
3. Choose your keyboard, right-click on it and choose the Update driver possibility.
4. Then, choose the Search robotically for drivers.
5. Follow the on-screen directions and set up the most recent driver updates.

Furthermore, you’ll be able to attempt uninstalling the keyboard driver from the device supervisor. Here’s how you are able to do it.

1. Select the Uninstall device possibility whereas right-clicking in your keyboard.
2. Next, click on Uninstall to verify.
3. Then, click on the Action menu on the prime and choose Scan for {hardware} modifications. 

Open Excel and see if the F4 key works as anticipated now.

Use the Alternative Keyboard Shortcuts

If the F4 key isn’t working as anticipated, you’ll be able to merely use different keyboard shortcuts.

For instance, you should utilize Ctrl + Y to repeat the final motion on Windows.

On the opposite hand, you’ll be able to add and entry varied instructions from the Quick Access Toolbar as follows.

1. Click the Customize Quick Access Toolbar(down arrow next to the filename) within the prime left nook.
2. Navigate to More Commands > Quick Access Toolbar.
3. Select the specified instructions below the Separator column and click on Add.
4. Click OK to verify.

Furthermore, you’ll be able to file an motion with macro and use its shortcut key as a substitute of F4.

Repair/ Reinstall the Application

You can restore the entire Microsoft package deal to resolve points with the Excel software. Here’s how you are able to do it.

1. Press Windows + X and choose the Apps and options possibility.
2. Then, click on the three vertical dots next to the Microsoft Office software and choose the Modify possibility.
3. Upon the How you want to restore your Office packages immediate, choose the Quick Repair possibility and click on Repair. If it doesn’t work, use the Online Repair possibility.

On the opposite hand, you’ll be able to reinstall the excel software to resolve your problem. However, you might want to take away the entire Office package deal to uninstall Excel. Here’s how you are able to do it.

On Windows

1. Press Windows + R, kind appwiz.cpl, and click on OK.
2. Select the Microsoft Office software from the record.
3. Click the Uninstall button within the prime bar next to Organize.
4. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the uninstallation course of.

On Mac

1. Open Finder.
2. Drag the Excel software to the Trash icon.

After uninstalling the applying, obtain its latest model from the Microsoft Official web site.