Excel 365 online cursor doesn't return to first column

Question

Excel 365 online cursor doesn't return to first column

John Green 10

When entering data in an Excel spreadsheet, I use Tab to move from one column to the next across a row. Hitting Return should send the cursor to the first column in the next row. In Excel online it doesn't do this, it just goes to the next row in the final column. Is there a way to fix this? In searching online I found another complaint about this with an answer that Excel online doesn't work like this, but it was from 2022. Has this problem (and it is definitely a problem) been fixed?

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Answer 1

John Jefferson Doyon 76,190 Independent Advisor

Just to check, does this happen in all workbooks, or only one file? Also, are you entering data inside a formatted Table, or just normal cells?

In Excel for the web, I do not see a setting that changes this behavior. The desktop Excel option is under File > Options > Advanced > After pressing Enter, move selection, but Excel for the web does not have the same full Options menu.

For now, please try this workaround:

Select the data entry range first, for example A2. Then enter your data and use Tab. Excel should stay within the selected range instead of continuing freely across the sheet.

If you have the desktop Excel app, another option is to click Open in Desktop App and enter the data there.

John Green 10 Reputation points

2026-07-01T17:48:56.24+00:00

This happens in all workbooks, and it's all normal cells. Your workaround fixes it, but it's cumbersome.
John Jefferson Doyon 76,190 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-01T17:56:04.0033333+00:00

Thanks for confirming!

This appears to be one of those features that is only available in the full desktop Excel app, which requires an Office license or a Microsoft 365 subscription.

So the selected-range workaround is likely the best option in the browser, but I agree it is not as convenient.

If this workflow is important for regular data entry, I would suggest using Open in Desktop App for now.
John Green 10 Reputation points

2026-07-01T18:01:15.7666667+00:00

I kind of figured that would be the case. Thanks for your help.
John Jefferson Doyon 76,190 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-01T18:02:26.4766667+00:00

Glad to assist you John!

If all is resolved, feel free to mark the answer for this thread. Otherwise, please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thanks!