XL98: Error Message "That Command Cannot Be Used on Multiple Selections" (191110)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q191110

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, when you attempt to copy nonadjacent cell selections, you may receive the following error message:
That command cannot be used on multiple selections.

CAUSE

These error messages may occur when your cell or range selections are in different columns or different rows. You can, however, copy and paste nonadjacent ranges without an error message if your selection contains any of the following:
  • Multiple rows within the same column, for example, A1, A3, A5
  • Multiple columns within the same row, for example, A2, C2, E2
  • Multiple rows and columns within the same columns and rows, for example, A1, C1, A3, C3, A5, C5
NOTE: This message also occurs if nonadjacent sheets are selected in a workbook, and you are pasting to another workbook.

STATUS

This is by design of Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.

MORE INFORMATION

When you make a nonadjacent selection and then click Copy on the Edit menu, Microsoft Excel tries to identify an outline type of the selection. Because Microsoft Excel "slides" the ranges together and pastes them as a single rectangle, a contiguous rectangle must remain if the rows and columns in between the selected cells are collapsed or set to a size of 0.

For example if you wanted to perform an operation on the following sample data 
   A1: 1   B1:     C1: 2
   A2:     B2:     C2:
   A3: 3   B3:     C3: 4
because a contiguous rectangle remains if you were to collapse row 2 and column B, you can individually select cells A1, C1, A3, C3 and copy them without error. (To make a nonadjacent selection, hold down the COMMAND key while selecting additional cells or ranges.)

This selection will be pasted as a single rectangle: 
   A5: 1  B5: 2
   A6: 3  B6: 4
However, you cannot add cell B2 to this nonadjacent selection, because Microsoft Excel cannot determine which direction you want the cells to slide. For example, B2 could slide between A1 and A3, C1 and C3, A1 and C1 or A3 and C3. This would result in rectangles of varying shapes and sizes. Because you cannot designate how you want the rectangle arranged, Microsoft Excel returns the error message. In this case, the cell range must be a single selection, or the cells must be copied individually.

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

141763 XL Err Msg: "Cannot Use That Command on Multiple Selections"

119806 ACC2: Exporting Data to MS Excel 5.0 or 95 Twice Causes Error

REFERENCES

For more information about Copying Cells, click the Office Assistant, type copy cells, click Search, and then click to view "Move or copy cell data."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

179216 OFF98: How to Use the Microsoft Office Installer Program

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/11/2002
Keywords:kbprb KB191110
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.