Max Number of Columns?

steve9 · May 1st, 2002, 08:03 AM

A collegue sent me an excel spreadsheet that only had about 20 or 30 columns in it, I needed to insert another one, but Excel said it couldn't shift nonblank cells off the worksheet. How do I make the worksheet bigger?

Asala42 · May 1st, 2002, 08:18 AM

Hey I've seen that.

Usually you can solve by selecting all of the columns to the right of the data and hitting editclear all. Then try it again..

Adam

steve9 · May 1st, 2002, 08:19 AM

Here is a screenshot of the problem

Any ideas?

Jay Petrulis · May 1st, 2002, 08:19 AM

Hi,

You cannot exceed 256 columns in any version of Excel. However, exceeding 256 does not seem to be the actual case in your situation.

On occasion, some character, possibly even a non-printable one, is found in the last cell of a column or row (or both). Go to column IV and delete the column (possibly a few more if necessary). Then, you will be able to insert columns as normal.

Bye,
Jay

steve9 · May 1st, 2002, 08:21 AM

Still can't get it, how frustrating

Iain Lewis · May 1st, 2002, 08:21 AM

I've had this happen quite often. When you insert a new column XL must delete one of the end ( it always has 256 cols. ).

What I usually do is delete a few empty columns ( 10 or 20 ) to the right of the data. This usually sorts it.

Asala42 · May 1st, 2002, 08:24 AM

Do you have any hidden columns? Try unhiding and possibly format all columns to a specific width. You may be able to then do some of the steps listed earlier.

Adam

steve9 · May 1st, 2002, 08:31 AM

Thanks guys, I ended up having to just Clear->All some columns at the end out like you said.

Wierd...

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May 1st, 2002, 08:03 AM	#1
steve9 New Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 6	A collegue sent me an excel spreadsheet that only had about 20 or 30 columns in it, I needed to insert another one, but Excel said it couldn't shift nonblank cells off the worksheet. How do I make the worksheet bigger?

May 1st, 2002, 08:18 AM	#2
Asala42 Board Regular Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southfield,MI USA Posts: 1,030	Hey I've seen that. Usually you can solve by selecting all of the columns to the right of the data and hitting editclear all. Then try it again.. Adam

May 1st, 2002, 08:19 AM	#3
steve9 New Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 6	Here is a screenshot of the problem Any ideas?

May 1st, 2002, 08:19 AM	#4
Jay Petrulis MrExcel MVP Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,042	Hi, You cannot exceed 256 columns in any version of Excel. However, exceeding 256 does not seem to be the actual case in your situation. On occasion, some character, possibly even a non-printable one, is found in the last cell of a column or row (or both). Go to column IV and delete the column (possibly a few more if necessary). Then, you will be able to insert columns as normal. Bye, Jay

May 1st, 2002, 08:21 AM	#5
steve9 New Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 6	Still can't get it, how frustrating

May 1st, 2002, 08:21 AM	#6
Iain Lewis Board Regular Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 217	I've had this happen quite often. When you insert a new column XL must delete one of the end ( it always has 256 cols. ). What I usually do is delete a few empty columns ( 10 or 20 ) to the right of the data. This usually sorts it.

May 1st, 2002, 08:24 AM	#7
Asala42 Board Regular Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southfield,MI USA Posts: 1,030	Do you have any hidden columns? Try unhiding and possibly format all columns to a specific width. You may be able to then do some of the steps listed earlier. Adam

May 1st, 2002, 08:31 AM	#8
steve9 New Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 6	Thanks guys, I ended up having to just Clear->All some columns at the end out like you said. Wierd...