XL98: Macro Shortcut Key May Be Lost When You Save Workbook (178233)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q178233

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, if you open a workbook, and then attempt to run a macro in the workbook by pressing the shortcut key for the macro, the macro does not run.

Also, if you display the shortcut key and description for the macro in the Macro Options dialog box, the following problems occur:

  • The Shortcut Key box is empty. -and-

  • The Description box contains a number of random characters at the end of the description. For example:

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

  • In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, you create a new macro and assign a shortcut key to the macro (for example, OPTION+COMMAND+a). -and-

  • You then save the workbook that contains the macro in the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook format.
When you save the workbook in the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook format, the shortcut key is lost, and several random characters are added to the end of the description.

RESOLUTION

If this problem occurs, manually correct the shortcut key and the description. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Point to Macro on the Tools menu and click Macros.
  2. In the list of macros, select the macro. Then, click Options.
  3. In the Shortcut Key box, type the letter that you want to use for the shortcut key (for example, "a"). In the Description box, remove the extra characters from the end of the description.
  4. Click OK. Then, click Cancel to dismiss the Macro dialog box.
If you save the workbook in Microsoft Excel Workbook format, the shortcut key and description are retained. However, if you save the workbook in the "Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook (*.xls)" format, the problem occurs again.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, use either of the following methods to assign a shortcut key to a macro:

  • When you record the macro, enter a letter into the Shortcut Key box in the Record Macro dialog box. -or-

  • After you record the macro, use the Shortcut Key box in the Macro Options dialog box to set the shortcut key for the macro.
To run the macro, hold down the OPTION and COMMAND keys, and then press the letter (for example, "a") that is assigned to the macro.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/11/2002
Keywords:kbprb kbProgramming KB178233
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.