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Microsoft Excel 2003/2004

Pointer Shapes

As with other Microsoft programs, the shape of the pointer changes as you are working in Excel. Each pointer shape is communicating something about how Excel is working. The shape of the pointer when you click and drag a cell will greatly influence the results of the click and drag. The following document includes a table describing each of the pointer shapes you may encounter in Excel.

Shape Implication Action
Hollow Plus Sign The default pointer shape. Moves cell pointer or selects a range of cells
Double Arrow Appears when the pointer is on a border (column, row, or window). When adjusting row height, the arrows point up and down. When adjusting column width, the arrows point right to left. Adjusts the column width, row height, or window size
Insertion Point Appears when you are editing the contents of a cell. Moves the insertion point within the cell
Windows:
Move Object cursor
Macintosh:
Move Object cursor
 Appears when you have a graphic that may be moved. Moves the selected graphic to the new location.
Four-Headed Arrow
Appears when you are pointing to the border of a cell. Moves the selected cell to a new location
Fill Corner Appears when you are at the "fill corner" of a cell or range of cells.
 AutoFills other cells with similar information
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