XL2000: Unable to Rotate AutoShapes While in Edit Mode (212240)

SYMPTOMS

When you try to maneuver or position an AutoShape object, the following items on the Drawing toolbar may be unavailable (dimmed):

The Free Rotate button.
The Rotate or Flip submenu on the Draw menu.
The Nudge submenu on the Draw menu.

CAUSE

If you are working with an AutoShape object and you are in Edit mode (cursor is blinking within the object), these items are not available.

RESOLUTION

To be able to change the orientation of an AutoShape, you must not be in Edit mode, but the object still must be selected. Note that if the cursor is blinking within an AutoShape, you are in Edit mode. To be able to select an AutoShape object without going into Edit mode, follow these steps:

If you are currently in Edit mode, click any cell within the worksheet.
Place the mouse pointer on the border of the object, and click once to select the object.

The Free Rotate button and the commands on the Rotate or Flip and Nudge submenus on the Draw menu will now be available.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

When you rotate or flip an AutoShape object that already contains text, the text will not rotate or flip with the object. Also, some objects that you import into Excel cannot be rotated or flipped. This is because they were not created within Excel. You also cannot rotate or flip bitmaps that are pasted into your worksheet.

REFERENCES

For more information about rotating objects, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type rotating objects in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.