How to Move the Selection After Return with ENTER Key (136262)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

This article was previously published under Q136262

SUMMARY

If you are using Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, the ENTER key (on the numeric keypad) does not move the active cell pointer the way the RETURN key does. On the Apple Macintosh, the RETURN and the ENTER keys are two distinct keys: the RETURN key is located on the keyboard, while the ENTER key is located on the numeric keypad.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. When you press RETURN, the selection will move down if you have selected the Move Selection After Return option (to modify this setting, click Options or Preferences on the Tools menu, and select the Edit tab). The ENTER key on the numeric keypad will not move the active cell pointer.

NOTE: In Microsoft Excel 98, the selection may be set to move down, up, left, or right.

The following sample macros give the ENTER key the same functionality as the RETURN key. To automatically have this functionality, these macros must be stored in the Personal Macro Workbook.
   Sub Auto_Open()
       Application.OnKey "{ENTER}","ENTER_Key"
   End Sub

   Sub ENTER_Key()

       ' The following line of code moves the selection down by one cell.
       ActiveCell.Offset(1,0).Select

       ' If you want the selection to move in a different direction, use
       ' one of the following lines of code INSTEAD of the above line of
       ' code:
       '
       ' To move up    : ActiveCell.Offset(-1,0).Select
       ' To move right : ActiveCell.Offset(0,1).Select
       ' To move left  : ActiveCell.Offset(0,-1).Select

   End Sub
				
For more information about the Personal Macro workbook, see the "Visual Basic User's Guide," version 5.0, pages 22-23

REFERENCES

Microsoft Excel "Visual Basic User's Guide," pages 22-23

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/11/2006
Keywords:kbcode kbenv kbhowto kbProgramming KB136262