Getting through extensive spreadsheets in Excel can be smooth sailing, but what happens when the scroll bar becomes excessively lengthy and tough to handle? Itcan transform a user-friendly tool into a frustrating one. If you've found yourself asking, "How to fix the scroll bar in Excel too long?" you're not alone.. This guide demystifies the steps to tame that unwieldy scroll bar and steer your focus back to the data that matters most.
What Is The Scroll Bar In Excel?
The scroll bar in Microsoft Excel is a graphical user interface (GUI) element designed to enhance user navigation and data input. It enables users to move swiftly through a large worksheet or document by scrolling vertically or horizontally. Comprising scroll arrows and a scroll box, the scroll bar allows precise control over visible data ranges.
Clicking on the scroll arrows or dragging the scroll box adjusts the view incrementally while clicking the region between the scroll box, and either scroll arrow moves through a preset interval of values, commonly called a "page." In addition to scrolling, users often can input a specific value directly into an associated cell or text box, making the scroll bar a versatile tool.
Ideal for handling large data ranges or settings where exact values are not critical, scroll bars are particularly useful for tasks such as adjusting color gradients or setting estimated percentages.
How To Fix The Scroll Bar In Excel Too Long？
In this example, we are working with a Clientele dataset displayed in cells B4 to E14. This dataset includes columns representing Company Names, their Addresses, the Cities they are located in, and their respective Zip Codes. For this walkthrough, we are utilizing Microsoft Excel 365, but feel free to use a version of Excel that suits your convenience. Let’s delve into each potential solution with relevant examples for clarity.
Solution 1: Deleting Contents From Other Cells
Firstly, a prevalent reason for experiencing a Scroll Bar In Excel Too Long is data in cells significantly distant from your main dataset. Erasing this data can likely resolve the issue. Continue reading for a step-by-step guide on how to address this problem.
Step 1: Start by identifying and removing unwanted text in cell B1048563.
Step 2: Select the entire Column F by clicking on it.
Step 3: Extend the selection to the XFD cell by pressing the CTRL + SHIFT + Right Arrow keys simultaneously.
Step 4: To delete the contents of the selected cells, press the CTRL + Minus key combination.
Step 5: Navigate to Row 15 and highlight all the cells in this row.
Step 6: Expand the selection down to the 1048576th row by simultaneously pressing the CTRL + SHIFT + Down Arrow keys.
Step 7: Erase the contents of the selected cells by hitting the CTRL + Minus key combo.
Step 8: Press CTRL + Home to reposition the cursor at the start of the dataset, and this action will normalize the scroll bar size.
Tip
Using keyboard shortcuts, such as CTRL + SHIFT + Arrow keys, is a quick way to navigate and select extensive ranges in a spreadsheet without relying on the mouse.
Solution 2: Removing Hidden Notes/Comments
If there are hidden notes or comments within the spreadsheet, you might experience the issue of an excessively long scroll bar in Excel. Thankfully, in the subsequent section, we will outline the steps to effectively rectify this problem.
Step 1: Go to the File tab in the menu.
Step 2: Select the Options button at the panel's bottom.
Step 3: The Excel Options dialog box will open up promptly.
Step 4: Access the Advanced tab and locate the Display section within this tab.
Step 5: Check the box next to the “Indicators and notes, and comments on hover” option.
Step 6: Click the OK button to confirm and apply the changes.
Step 7: This action will reveal hidden notes or comments within your worksheet.
Step 8: Move your cursor to the cell that contains the note or comment, in this case, the E9 cell.
Step 9: Perform a right-click with your mouse on this cell.
Step 10: Select the “Delete Note” option from the context menu that appears.
Step 11: After completing this step, the results will be displayed as indicated in the provided image.
Tip
Before deleting any notes or comments, consider creating a backup of your worksheet. This way, you can easily recover the notes or comments in case you need to reference them later or if you delete them accidentally.
Solution 3: Identifying Hidden Charts
Hidden chart elements in your spreadsheet can contribute to the problem of an Excel scroll bar being too long. To address this issue, we will examine the troubleshooting steps in detail. Consider a "List of Company Stock Prices" dataset in cells B4 to D13. This dataset displays the Company Names, their corresponding Ticker Symbols, and the Stock Prices in USD.
Step 1: Go to the "Find & Select" option and choose "Selection Pane" from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Observe the Selection Pane on your screen's right side.
Step 3: Click the "Show All" toggle switch in the Selection Pane to unhide any concealed charts.
Step 4: Highlight the desired chart by clicking on it.
Step 5: Perform a right-click action on the selected chart and then press the "DELETE" button to erase the chart.
Step 6: The scroll bar will consequently reset to its original size.
Tip
Double-check that you have selected the correct chart before pressing the "DELETE" button to remove a chart. This action is irreversible, and you might lose important data or formatting.
Solution 4: Applying VBA Code
Finally, you can utilize a straightforward VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) code to restrict the scroll area to only the cells containing your dataset. This approach is uncomplicated and user-friendly, so proceed with the following steps.
Step 1: Head to the "Developer" tab and select the "Visual Basic" option.
Step 2: This action will launch the Visual Basic Editor in a separate window.
Step 3: Navigate to the "View" tab and choose the "Immediate Window" option.
Step 4: Input the given code directly into the Immediate window.
Step 5: Press the ENTER button. Following this, the scroll bar size should return to its original size, as seen in the image below.
Tip
When working in the Visual Basic Editor, save any work before making changes. Using the Immediate Window can quickly run code snippets without adding them to your actual project.
A Free Alternative Choice To Microsoft Excel - WPS Office
WPS Office presents a compelling and cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Excel. Its powerful spreadsheet application allows users to perform various tasks, from basic calculations to advanced data analysis, without spending a penny. Here's why WPS Office is rising as a leading choice for spreadsheet solutions.
Free And User-Friendly
WPS Spreadsheet is free to use, without any advertising obligatory registrations. It is designed to be easy to use and accessible to everyone, making it a strong contender as an alternative to Microsoft Excel.
Lightweight And Efficient
Weighing in at only 200MB, WPS Office takes up minimal computer memory. It is compatible with various versions of Windows, including Win7, 10, and 11, ensuring smooth and efficient operation on different systems.
Cross-Platform Support
WPS Office is not limited to Windows; it also supports macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS systems. Users can simply log in with the same account on different devices, enabling seamless file synchronization across platforms.
Rich Functionality Beyond Spreadsheets
Beyond its powerful spreadsheet features, WPS Office integrates various tools, including resume assistants, smart forms, screen recording, file repair functionalities, and more.
Impressive Template Store
There are several free and paid templates are available in WPS Office's template store for Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. These templates are designed to help users quickly and easily create professional-looking documents.
Seamless Online Collaboration
With WPS AirPage, users can create, edit, and collaborate on documents in real time over the internet. This functionality promotes productivity and teamwork, mirroring the capabilities of Google Sheets or Microsoft’s own online collaboration tools.
Strong File Compatibility
WPS Office is designed to be highly compatible with standard document formats. Regardless of their original form, opening papers is smooth and error-free with WPS Office, with no misplaced characters or incorrect formulas.
Affordable PDF Editing Options
WPS Office is not just about Word, PPT, and Excel alternatives. It also provides a comprehensive PDF toolkit, with basic functions available for free and advanced features available at a modest annual subscription of $29.
FAQs
What Is Infinite Scrolling?
Infinite scrolling is a web design technique where content is continuously loaded onto a single page as the user scrolls down, eliminating the need to divide content into separate, paginated pages. This approach provides a seamless and uninterrupted browsing experience for the user.
What Is Scrolling Mode?
Scrolling mode refers to the functionality in computer displays, filmmaking, television production, and other dynamic displays that allows text, images, or video to move or slide across the screen smoothly. This movement can be either vertically, from top to bottom or bottom to top, or horizontally, from left to right or right to left.
Summary
The article provides a detailed guide to resolving the issue of an excessively long scroll bar in Microsoft Excel, which can impede smooth navigation through spreadsheets. The guide outlines step-by-step solutions, including deleting unnecessary content in distant cells, removing hidden notes/comments, eliminating hidden charts, and applying VBA code to restrict the scroll area, aiming to make Excel more user-friendly and help users focus on relevant data.
The article also highlights WPS Office as a compelling, free alternative to Microsoft Excel. WPS Office is lightweight, cross-platform, and user-friendly, with a familiar interface that minimizes the learning curve for new users. Besides spreadsheets, it offers a wide selection of professional templates, seamless online collaboration through WPS AirPage, and strong file compatibility.
