{"id":822,"date":"2022-12-31T18:07:53","date_gmt":"2022-12-31T18:07:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/?p=822"},"modified":"2022-12-31T18:07:54","modified_gmt":"2022-12-31T18:07:54","slug":"excel-shape-keeps-disappearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-shape-keeps-disappearing\/","title":{"rendered":"Excel Shape Keeps Disappearing (Four Fixes)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I used an Excel shape to make a nice-looking button that runs a macro on a protected worksheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The shape frequently becomes invisible with repeated use of the worksheet and button. But the object hasn\u2019t moved or been deleted from the sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I know this as I can still click the shape when I hover my mouse over the area. And clicking it runs the macro. This article gives several different fixes to the problem of the incredible disappearing Excel shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6610f59a36f12\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6610f59a36f12\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-shape-keeps-disappearing\/#A_Bug_In_All_Excel_Versions\" title=\"A Bug In All Excel Versions?\">A Bug In All Excel Versions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-shape-keeps-disappearing\/#Fix_1_Unprotect_SheetClick_ShapeProtect_Sheet\" title=\"Fix 1: Unprotect Sheet\/Click Shape\/Protect Sheet\">Fix 1: Unprotect Sheet\/Click Shape\/Protect Sheet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-shape-keeps-disappearing\/#Fix_2_Disable_Shape_Resizing\" title=\"Fix 2: Disable Shape Resizing\">Fix 2: Disable Shape Resizing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-shape-keeps-disappearing\/#Fix_3_Disable_Shape_Printing\" title=\"Fix 3: Disable Shape Printing\">Fix 3: Disable Shape Printing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-shape-keeps-disappearing\/#Fix_4_Switch_To_A_Form_Control_Last_Resort\" title=\"Fix 4: Switch To A Form Control (Last Resort)\">Fix 4: Switch To A Form Control (Last Resort)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-shape-keeps-disappearing\/#Other_Stupid_Excel_Problems\" title=\"Other Stupid Excel Problems\">Other Stupid Excel Problems<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Bug_In_All_Excel_Versions\"><\/span>A Bug In All Excel Versions?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn\u2019t a new problem, as I discovered when searching for fixes. It was being reported on forums over fifteen years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I tried several of the suggested fixes, but none worked for me. In the end, I had to resort to the most drastic solution at the end of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before I get to the last resort, I\u2019ll describe the other fixes. One of these may work for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fix_1_Unprotect_SheetClick_ShapeProtect_Sheet\"><\/span>Fix 1: Unprotect Sheet\/Click Shape\/Protect Sheet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The most basic fix is to unprotect the worksheet and click the area a few times. It does reappear!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering how to unprotect and protect the sheet, open the Review tab. The \u201cProtect Sheet\u201d toggle is toward the right of the expanded options.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"657\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/protect-worksheet.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/protect-worksheet.jpg 657w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/protect-worksheet-300x57.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 657px) 100vw, 657px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>But this is not acceptable for a spreadsheet I want to distribute to other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fix_2_Disable_Shape_Resizing\"><\/span>Fix 2: Disable Shape Resizing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By default, a shape is set to move and size with the cells that it is placed upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people reported that when they changed it to be fixed in place, the \u201cdisappearing\u201d problem stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make the change, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n<li>Right-click the shape<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expand the properties section<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cdon\u2019t move or size with cells\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s a picture of how to get to the properties:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"282\" height=\"544\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/shape-properties.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-824\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/shape-properties.jpg 282w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/shape-properties-156x300.jpg 156w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 282px) 100vw, 282px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Shape Properties<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fix_3_Disable_Shape_Printing\"><\/span>Fix 3: Disable Shape Printing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people reported that when they turned off the inclusion of the shape in printing, that the problem stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cprint object\u201d option is also in the Properties section that I described above..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is enabled by default. Toggle the checkbox to disable it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the exact steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n<li>Right-click the shape<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expand the properties section<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uncheck \u201cprint object\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fix_4_Switch_To_A_Form_Control_Last_Resort\"><\/span>Fix 4: Switch To A Form Control (Last Resort)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I wanted to use a shape to have a nice-looking button. Unfortunately, I couldn\u2019t get the disappearance issue to go away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, I removed the shape and used the good old-fashioned form control button. Yes, it\u2019s the blocky look from the 1980s, but it doesn\u2019t disappear at a whim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To use a form control button, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\">\n<li>Open the Developer tab<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expand the \u201cInsert\u201d menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose the first icon in the Form Controls section<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"469\" height=\"278\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/form-control-button.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-825\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/form-control-button.jpg 469w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/form-control-button-300x178.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In case you\u2019re wondering, there\u2019s not much altering you can do to the appearance of these old-school buttons. You can\u2019t even change the color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I\u2019ll accept going retro when it actually works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Stupid_Excel_Problems\"><\/span>Other Stupid Excel Problems<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s another problem I encountered recently: when I added a simple filter to the first row, it appeared on the second row instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you trip over this stupid bug, here\u2019s my tip on <a href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-adds-filter-to-wrong-row\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"756\">how to stop Excel putting a filter on the wrong row<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I used an Excel shape to make a nice-looking button that runs a macro on a protected worksheet. The shape frequently becomes invisible with repeated use of the worksheet and button. But the object hasn\u2019t moved or been deleted from the sheet. I know this as I can still click the shape when I hover &#8230; <a title=\"Excel Shape Keeps Disappearing (Four Fixes)\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/excel-shape-keeps-disappearing\/\" aria-label=\"More on Excel Shape Keeps Disappearing (Four Fixes)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=822"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":826,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822\/revisions\/826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}