XL98: Text Is Typed Left-to-Right with Foreign Language Keyboard (187591)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

This article was previously published under Q187591

SYMPTOMS

When you have your keyboard set to a foreign language that reads right-to- left, such as Arabic or Hebrew, the text you are typing into a cell or a text box may be typed left-to-right. However, when you press RETURN, the text is flipped and reads correctly (right-to-left).

CAUSE

You may encounter this behavior if the Horizontal alignment for the cell or text box in which you are entering text is set to General or Left.

RESOLUTION

To have the text in the cell or text box typed right-to-left as you type the characters on your keyboard, change the Horizontal alignment of the cell or text box to Right. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Select the cell(s) or text box you want to format.
  2. On the Format menu, click Cells or Text Box.
  3. Click the Alignment tab.
  4. Click the arrow for the Horizontal box, and select Right from the list.
  5. Click OK.
NOTE: The text in the Formula Bar will always be entered left-to-right, even after following these steps. However, once you enter the text in the cell, the text will appear correctly in the Formula Bar.

STATUS

This is by design of Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/11/2002
Keywords:kbprb KB187591