Edit Mode and ESC: Excel

Many times during a computer class, a student will say - "I can't do what I am asking."  "The computer won't let me select that item from the ribbon."

My first response is to have them press the ESC [Escape] key which is located in the top left hand corner of the keyboard.  The reason I ask them to hit ESC is because most likely they are in edit mode.

Edit Mode
Edit mode means that they are making changes to the contents of a cell. Their cursor is blinking up on the formula bar. Sometimes they are in there by accident and didn't realize it before they began going through the steps which I am instructing on.

So if something is grayed out on the ribbon - press the ESC key and then it will mostly likely be available.

Escape
Note: Pressing the ESC key does eliminate any changes you were just making in that cell. Pressing ENTER will keep the changes.

If you have typed in something in a cell and it is wrong and you just want to start over - press ESC. The cell will return to the way it was before you started typing.

I love this picture.
I always tell people, the Escape key will get you out of places you don't want to be. This picture is just perfect.







"Escape Key" picture source:
I was not able to find the original source of this picture. The following is a list of other websites which have the picture.

http://funny-pix.co/lols/funny-escape-key-pictures/
http://www.taragis.com/2012/08/esc-key-finally-did-it/
http://www.kulfoto.com/funny-pictures/26788/escape-finally-did-it
http://www.lolroflmao.com/2011/11/02/escape-he-finally-did-it-esc-keyboard-key/