can't get rid of cross shape cursor

[braille]

While working in an Excel spreadsheet the cursor changed to a cross shape and things are highlighted as I move it around. The cursor remains a cross shape I no matter where I place it, or what I click.

 

[Mark O'Brien]

Welcome to the Board!

This may sound stupid, but the first thought that comes to mind is that your left mouse button is stuck. I suggest that you check this by trying to double-click and single-click around the worksheet. In general just mess around with your mouse. If this is is the culprit and is a constant problem, you should either clean your mouse or get a new one.

 

[Legacy 98055]

You may have accidentally hit F8 as well. Hit F8 again to release the selection.

Tom

 

[Mark O'Brien]

F8! I didn't realise it did that. Nice, thanks Tom.

Incidentally, I forgot to say in my first post, Excel's cursor is normally a cross. Don't let this annoy you too much, it's meant to look like that. :D

 

[braille]

Since I posted my question about the cross-shaped cursor, which would not go away or even let me save or enter data, it began highlighting everything on the sheet, the name at the top changed to one of the names in a field and the screen went blank and wouldn't restart even with ctrl/alt/delete. I restarted the computer and found the datasheet in good condition minus without the today's entries. Fortunately I could reconstruct without great trouble. I have no idea why things went haywire. To my knowledge we didn't do any of the things suggested in the responses to my original question.

Thanks.
Carolyn

 

[indiantrix]

Something else to look into...if you have a WHEEL mouse, the WHEEL button (that's right, I said "Button") may be stuck. Press and click on the Wheel button several times, then see if the problem vanishes. I have seen this phenomenom before. Good luck. /s/ Larry

 

[Alicia Bayley]

My excel is doing the same thing. It keeps saying its not responding
, it locks up, changes the cursor to a cross &just freezes on that. I have to press cntrl alt delete to end tasks for alk excel. Very frustrating

 

[Michael M]

Apert from the fact that your are responding in a 15 year old thread......Did you try the reply in Post #3