XL: "Cannot Change Part of an Array" Error Message

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, you may receive the error message "Cannot change part of an array" when you attempt to edit one of the cells that make up an array formula.

WORKAROUND

To cancel the error message, click OK, and then click the "X" button in the formula bar (or press ESC).

To determine which cells make up the array, use either of the following methods to highlight the range that makes up the array formula:

• Choose one of the cells that you know is in the array formula. On the Formula menu, click Select Special, and then click Current Array. In Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 and later, follow these steps:
  
  1. On the Edit menu, click Go To. Or, press F5.
  
  2. In the Go To dialog box, click Special.
  
  3. In the Go To Special dialog box, click Current Array, and then click OK.
  
  -or-



• Press CTRL+SHIFT and double-click a cell that you know makes up that array. After selecting the entire range that contains the array formula, edit the formula and press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER if you are using Microsoft Excel for Windows, or COMMAND+RETURN if you are using Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh to reenter the array formula.

Additional query words: 4.00a 5.00a 5.00c 7.00a 97 XL97 XL7 XL5 XL4

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbdta xlformula 
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,4.0,5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:3.0,4.0,5.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999