Why can't I select form and ActiveX controls?

Applies To
Excel for Microsoft 365 Excel 2024 Excel 2021

Symptoms

Selecting a control is sometimes difficult and unpredictable.

Cause

There can be several reasons for this:

  • Because a Form control can contain text or other objects (such as an image), when you try to select the control, you might not be selecting the entire control if you do not position the pointer precisely on the control border.
  • If Excel is not in Design mode, when you try to select an ActiveX control, you might unintentionally start an action, such as running a macro or selecting a check box.
  • Many controls are positioned close to each other.

Resolution

First, determine the type of control that you want to select. Because there are three different types of controls and objects that you can modify uniquely, you may not know for sure which type of control it is just by looking at it. To determine the type of control you are working with, right-click the control, and then note the following:

  • If the shortcut menu contains the command Assign Macro, the control is a Form control.

    Tip

    To display the correct shortcut menu for a group box Form control, make sure that you select the perimeter of the group box, and not the interior of the group box.

  • If the shortcut menu contains the command Properties, the control is an ActiveX control, and Excel is in Design mode.

  • If the shortcut menu contains the command Edit Text, the object is a Drawing Tools object.

Note

ActiveX controls are supported in Excel for Windows, but some organizations block or restrict them through security policies. For new workbook solutions, consider using Form controls when they provide the functionality you need.

Then, do the following:

  • For a Form control, click the control and make sure that the control border is displayed.
    Control border

  • For an ActiveX control:

    1. If the Developer tab is not available, display it:

      1. Click the File tab, and then click Options.
      2. In the Customize Ribbon drop-down list, select Main Tabs.
      3. Select the Developer check box.

    2. Make sure that Excel is in Design mode. On the Developer tab, in the Controls group, turn on Design Mode .
      Screenshot that shows Design Mode.

  • When you work with many controls that are positioned close to each other, zoom to a larger size to magnify the view.

    Tip

    If controls overlap or are difficult to select, use the Selection Pane (Home > Find & Select > Selection Pane) to locate and select objects.

    For more information, see Zoom in or out of a document, presentation, or worksheet.

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