Why can't I enter a "/" via the keyboard?

[Chris Mitchell]

I use a "/" (forward slash) as a tick in a spreadsheet and have a data
validation rule to prevent other characters being inserted.

This works fine if I right click in the cell and select the / from the list
of one - it used to be more but things change.

However when I try to insert a / via the keyboard it doesn't work, strangely
the File menu is selected.

How can I make it such that I can enter a / via the keyboard?

TIA.

Chris.

 

[Dave Peterson]

In xl2003 menus:
Tools|Options|transition tab

Remove that Microsoft Office Excel Menu Key character.

Or you could precede your entry with an apostrophe:
'/

 

[Shane Devenshire]

This is the old Lotus 1-2-3 menu key. Microsoft retained it when the first
created Excel because the gorilla of spreadsheets at the time was 1-2-3 not
Excel.

they probably will retain it forever, if they don't find a better use for it.

 

[Chris Mitchell]

Thanks Dave,
That's fixed it.

In xl2003 menus:
Tools|Options|transition tab

Remove that Microsoft Office Excel Menu Key character.

Or you could precede your entry with an apostrophe:
'/

 

[Chris Mitchell]

Thanks Shane.
I can't see any buttons to click.
Whilst your reply explains the history, which is welcome, it doesn't tell me
how to fix it.

 

[Shane Devenshire]

Hi Chris,

1. The button is only visible in certain browsers on the Web interface, so
don't worry about it. History is sometimes fun.
2. I didn't mention how to fix it because Dave had already done that.