Formula Bar blocks column header letters so I can't paste

[Clueless in Seattle]

I've run into a problem while trying to move a couple of columns in an
Excel 2003 worksheet.

I'm trying to move columns J & K a couple of columns over to the right
and insert them to the left of column N.

Here's what happens:

1. I put the mouse pointer over the letter J at the top of the column
and click the left mouse button.

2. As I would expect, all the cells in the column turn blue, and
heavy dark vertical borders appear along the sides of the column.

3. But, a horizontal white bar pops up along the top edge of the
worksheet and obscures all of the alphabetical column header letters,
so I'm unable to see the letter of column N (or any of the other
columns for that matter) so I'm not able to click on column N in order
to insert the column.

4. When I put the mouse pointer inside the annoying white bar, a
little label pops up saying "formula bar"

How can I make this white bar go away so I can see the letters at the
tops of the columns?

Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"

 

[George Gee]

Is there any data in J1?

You can hide the formula bar whilst you make your alterations:
Tools>Options>View Tab, uncheck 'Formula Bar'.

George Gee

 

[Gord Dibben]

Couple of methods to oversome this.

1. View>Formula Bar and uncheck it.

2. Hit the restore icon on the title bar and make the sheet window smaller.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Clueless in Seattle]

Is there any data in J1?

You can hide the formula bar whilst you make your alterations:
Tools>Options>View Tab, uncheck 'Formula Bar'.

Thanks, that did the trick. I just swapped the columns.

As for whether there was data in J1, I have to confess that I
overlooked your question until after I had made the swap. But I think
there was data in J1 before the swap. But now there isn't.

Thanks again, to both of you who responded.

Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"