I’m sure we have all been asked by someone in the last 20 years – “what is the Scroll Lock key used for?”.
The only time I ever use it is with Excel, as enabling or disabling Scroll Lock determines how your cursor keys work within Excel.
So, earlier this year I got a new Logitect EX110 wireless keyboard. I’ve been using it without any problems, until today. I opened up an Excel file and my cursor keys aren’t working correctly. No problem, I thought … just press the Scroll Lock key. But wait — there is no scroll lock key! I pressed every key combination I could think of without success. Now what do I do?
My workaround was to remember that Windows has an On-Screen Keyboard (OSK). I clicked Start > Run, and typed in ‘osk’ and there’s my Scroll Lock key on my screen for me to disable.
Another easy way to pull up the OSK is to use Windows and U key to bring up the Utility manager. The first time it comes up it defaults to turning on the Narrator, but there are options on that screen to select what you want to auto start so you can modify it to bring up the OSK automatically instead.
I am also in the same trap! Fed up with lot of wires around me and decided to adopt wireless whereever I can, brought this keyboard. When i tried to swich the machines (I use KVM Swithc), i could not locate a Scroll Lock key to do so! In addition, the unit seems to be bit instable on a KVM. Also it comes with a “long wired” tranciver – adds up wires again! Q: Then did I took this by closing the eyes? – yes, I am in Japan, couldnt speak Japanese, so forced to accept the risk and pickup the stuff by looking at the picture outside the box!
You are the bomb. I was having exactly the same problem as you, and google and your suggestion saved the day.
Cheers
thank you, thank you, thank you. I’ve been digging through excel help all morning finding no answers, and cursing microsoft. this is why i use macs(when i have a choice).
great show! I too have been struggling with my excel and help to find a solution, but to no avail. I disabled my scroll lock key to your instructions.
thanks
Awesome. That really helped me.
You rule! I was about to break this keyboard over my knee thanks!
HOLY COW!!
I can’t believe that I found this page, but thank goodness. I was struggling with this stupid logitech keyboard and excel with the same problem. Thanks for posting this!!!!
I can’t believe how long I struggled with this. I was about ready to go buy a new keyboard. Thanks a million!!!!!
YOU ARE A GENIUS… Same comment as other posts, about to just throw my PC in the river and start over when your wise words saved me from reimbursing my firm for an otherwise usefule device.
thank you – THANK YOU!! =)
same problem as the others above
Genius!!
Same as everyone above i was stumped by this.
Thank you
W
Yes… Now i can play Rogue properly again! Cheers matey
Also if you have the same keyobard and mouse as me you can assign the scroll lock to one of the function keys on the keyboard using the on screen keyboard.
Thank you so much.
I know to use the OSK but my brother needs SCROLL LOCK for a game, but can not find it and if he uses OSK it doesn’t come up on his game. Anyone know how to assign SCROLL LOCK to another key?
How about a way to do a scroll lock key in debian linux?? I am sitting here researching it now and no luck. Thanks
Fantastic. Great simple solution to a real “How can I get out of this situation” when your keyboard has lost scroll lock :))
thanks for saving the day. i have asked my system administration without success. thanks for google and u sir
THANKS MAN!!!
Thanks a lot !
Same here…..but unfortunately, all your great suggestions won’t work in my case. I have a KVM Switch which MUST use the Scroll Lock key, and when I try to use the one on the OSK,……nada…..any help?
Could one of you pc gurus perhaps write some code or a macro to switch pc’s using the kvm ps2 switch? I’d break my piggy bank to purchase it!
Thanks a ton! works like a charm on my Win XP virtual machine on my MBP. 🙂