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Scroll Lock in Excel: How to Turn It On and Off

Last Updated : 28 Jun, 2025
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Scroll Lock in Excel can sometimes confuse, as it alters the way arrow keys navigate within a worksheet. Instead of moving between cells, arrow keys scroll the entire sheet when Scroll Lock is enabled. This article explains how to turn Scroll Lock on and off in Excel, helping you regain control over cell navigation. Whether you're troubleshooting or learning Excel basics, this guide provides quick and easy solutions to manage Scroll Lock effectively, including steps to turn off Scroll Lock in different versions of Windows and Mac.

 Note: By default the scroll key is off in Excel. 

Scroll-Lock-in-Excel
Scroll Lock in Excel

What is Scroll Lock in Excel

Scroll Lock is a keyboard feature that changes the behavior of arrow keys. Instead of moving the active cell, the arrow keys scroll the entire worksheet when Scroll Lock is enabled. While this feature can be helpful in specific scenarios, it can cause confusion if enabled accidentally.

Key Impacts of Scroll Lock in Excel

  • With Scroll Lock On: Arrow keys scroll the worksheet but do not change the active cell.
  • With Scroll Lock Off: Arrow keys move the selection from one cell to another.

How to Check if Scroll Lock is Enabled in Excel

You can say the Scroll lock feature is enabled (on) as the status will display on the lower left of the Excel in the status bar.

Check the Status Bar

  • In Excel, the status bar at the bottom displays "Scroll Lock" when it is enabled.
Scroll Lock in Excel

Follow the below steps to turn on/off the scroll lock in Excel:

  • Make sure the below setting is in your Excel file, which gives a notification of the scroll lock [turned on/off].
  • Right-click “Status bar” and make sure “Scroll Lock” should be checked

Scroll Lock in Excel

Toggle “Scroll lock” on your keyboard, if it is not available use “on-screen keyboard”.

To open/close the “on-screen keyboard

  • Option 1: Press keys together Windows + Ctrl + O.
  • Option 2: Select Start >> Windows Ease of Access >> On-Screen Keyboard.

Scroll Lock in Excel

Scroll Lock – OFF [Default] 

  • Arrow keys navigate the active cells in the respective direction

Scroll Lock in Excel

Scroll Lock – ON

  • Arrow keys scroll the entire worksheet in the respective direction

Scroll Lock in Excel

How to Turn Off Scroll Lock in Excel For Windows

If your arrow keys suddenly stop moving from cell to cell, Scroll Lock is likely on. To turn Scroll Lock off, you can press the Scroll Lock (ScrLk) key on your physical keyboard. For most keyboards, there is an indicator light that shows whether Scroll Lock is on or off. If your keyboard does not have this key, you can use the On-Screen Keyboard to toggle it off. Here's how:

Disable Scroll Lock Using a Physical Keyboard

Locate the Scroll Lock Key:

  • Find the Scroll Lock (ScrLk) key on your keyboard.
  • It may also be labeled differently, such as ScrLk or ScLk.

Press the Scroll Lock Key:

  • Press the key to toggle Scroll Lock off.
  • If your keyboard has an indicator light, it will turn off when Scroll Lock is disabled.

How to Turn Off Scroll Lock Using the On-Screen Keyboard

If your physical keyboard does not have a Scroll Lock key, use the On-Screen Keyboard.

Open the On-Screen Keyboard:

  • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  • Type OSK (without quotes) and press Enter.
  • The On-Screen Keyboard will appear.

Locate the ScrLk Key:

  • Look for the ScrLk key on the On-Screen Keyboard (usually in blue).
Keybard
Click on the ScrLK to turn it off

Disable Scroll Lock:

  • Click the ScrLk key.
  • It will turn black, indicating that Scroll Lock has been disabled.

Close the On-Screen Keyboard:

  • Click the X in the top-right corner of the On-Screen Keyboard.
Keyboard1
ScrLK turned off

Turn Off Scroll Lock on Dell and HP Laptops

Follow the below steps to Turn Off Scroll Lock in Laptops:

  • Dell Laptops: Use the shortcut Fn + S to toggle Scroll Lock on or off.
  • HP Laptops: Use the shortcut Fn + C to toggle Scroll Lock on or off.

How to Turn Off Scroll Lock on Different Windows Versions

Follow these steps to disable Scroll Lock on various Windows versions:

For Windows 10

  • Click Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
  • Enable the On-Screen Keyboard by toggling the slider.
  • Use the ScrLk key on the On-Screen Keyboard to disable Scroll Lock.

For Windows 8.1

  • Press Ctrl + C to open the Charms bar.
  • Go to Change PC Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.
  • Slide the On-Screen Keyboard button to turn it on.
  • Disable Scroll Lock using the On-Screen Keyboard.

For Windows 7

  • Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Ease of Access.
  • Select On-Screen Keyboard.
  • Press the ScrLk key on the On-Screen Keyboard to disable Scroll Lock.

After turning on the On-Screen Keyboard, press the ScrLk key (Scroll Lock) to turn Scroll Lock on or off. To close the keyboard, click the X in the top-right corner.

Scroll Lock in Excel for Mac

Unlike Excel for Windows, Excel for Mac doesn’t show the Scroll Lock status in the status bar. Follow the below steps to check if Scroll Lock is on:

How to Remove Scroll Lock in Excel for Mac

To remove Scroll Lock in Excel for Mac, follow these steps:

Check if Scroll Lock is Enabled

If you notice that using the arrow keys moves the entire worksheet rather than navigating between cells, Scroll Lock is likely enabled.

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

  • Excel for Mac does not have a dedicated Scroll Lock key on most keyboards, but you can use the On-Screen Keyboard to toggle Scroll Lock.
  • Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Keyboard, and enable Show Keyboard and Emoji viewers in menu bar.
  • In the menu bar, click the Keyboard Viewer icon and select Show Keyboard Viewer.

Toggle Scroll Lock Using the On-Screen Keyboard

The On-Screen Keyboard will appear on your screen. Look for the F14 key (usually located as a secondary function key).

Hold the Fn key and click F14 on the On-Screen Keyboard to toggle Scroll Lock off.

Use a Shortcut (Alternative Method)

Some Mac keyboards may not have an F14 key. In that case, try using Fn + Shift + F12 as an alternative to toggle Scroll Lock.

After performing these steps, you should be able to navigate cells using the arrow keys without moving the entire worksheet, indicating that Scroll Lock has been successfully disabled.

The Functions of the Arrow Keys (With and Without the Scroll Lock)

Below are the Functions of Arrow Keys When Scroll Lock is turned on 

  • It allows the movement of rows (one row up and down) and columns (one column left and right) with the help of the respective arrow keys.
  • Moves quickly to the different areas of the worksheet by pressing the "Ctrl" and the respective arrow key simultaneously. 

Below are Functions of Arrow keys When Scroll Lock is turned off

  • Move up, down, left, or right from one cell to the other with the help of respective Arrow keys.
  • By pressing the ctrl and the respective arrow key together, you can move to the last cell of a blank range. 
  • By pressing the shift and the respective arrow key together, you can select the range of cells vertically or horizontally.

Note: When Scroll Lock is enabled in Excel, the arrow keys won't let you select individual cells. In this situation, you can use the mouse to click and select a cell.

Troubleshooting Scroll Lock Issues

If you're unable to turn off Scroll Lock, try these solutions:

  • Restart Excel: Close and reopen Excel to reset any temporary glitches.
  • Check External Keyboards: Ensure an external keyboard or device isn’t enabling Scroll Lock.
  • Update Drivers: Outdated keyboard drivers may cause issues. Update them through your device manager.
  • Test with Another Keyboard: If you suspect hardware issues, test Scroll Lock functionality with another keyboard.

Conclusion

Scroll Lock in Excel may alter how arrow keys function, but disabling it is straightforward across various devices and operating systems. Whether you're using Windows or Mac, this guide helps you turn off Scroll Lock effectively, ensuring smooth navigation within your worksheets. By understanding how to manage Scroll Lock in different versions, you can avoid potential disruptions and work efficiently in Excel.


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