XL97: Cannot Show Scenario That Includes Merged Cells (168603)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q168603

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Scenario Manager to show a scenario in Microsoft Excel 97, you may receive the following error message:
Some changing cells are part of an array or table and cannot be changed.
You receive this message even though none of the changing cells are part of an array or a table.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if any of the changing cells in the scenario are merged cells.

RESOLUTION

In Microsoft Excel 97, you cannot show a scenario that includes any merged cells. Make sure that you do not add any merged cells to your scenario when you create or edit it.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel 97, you can merge a number of cells into a single cell by performing the following steps:

  1. Select the cells that you want to merge.
  2. On the Format menu, click Cells. Click the Alignment tab. Click to select the Merge Cells check box, and then click OK.
You can also merge cells by selecting the cells and clicking the Merge And Center button on the Formatting toolbar.

You can add a scenario to a worksheet by performing the following steps:

  1. On the Tools menu, click Scenarios. Click Add.
  2. In the Scenario Name edit box, type a name for your new scenario. In the Changing Cells edit box, enter a reference to the cells that you want to include in the scenario. Then, click OK.
  3. In the Scenario Values dialog box, enter a value for each changing cell. When you are finished, click OK.
  4. In the list of Scenarios, select the scenario you want to show, and then click Show.
If any of the changing cells are merged cells, you will receive the error message mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/22/2000
Keywords:kbprb KB168603
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