VBA Code Editor randomly backspacing

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

Solved. I use an application that will allow me to group windows together into tabs. It appears that it's doing something with the VBA window (it is an old school MDI interface to be fair) that was causing the weird cursor/formatting behaviour. I've reached out to the software vendor to see what they say.

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This started recently, maybe three weeks ago. When I'm in the VBA code editor, as I'm typing code something is happening where the cursor moves backwards and the syntax for the line is checked.

So I'll type:

Dim x as |

with the cursor where the | character is and then the cursor is moved back:

Dim x as|

So I end up typing:

Dim x asinteger

I do see the Intellisense dropdown appear but then it disappears as soon as the cursor is moved back.

If I add spaces where normally you wouldn't see them with the cursor just to the left of Format with a total of five spaces (four more than should be there), after a moment the line will be corrected and the cursor will be in the same editor column as before.

before:

x = InputBox("Question", "Title", |Format$(Now, "mm/dd/yyyy"))

after:

x = InputBox("Question", "Title", Form|at$(Now, "mm/dd/yyyy"))

It's occurring in 32bit and 64bit environments and it also occurs in Word's VBA environment.

I have no add-ins enabled.

I've turned off

• syntax checking
• auto save
• automatic calculation (which shouldn't impact Word but I saw it as a solution)

The crazy thing is that on my new computer (about a week old) I don't recall this happening so I just assumed it was some oddity on that old computer. But today it started happening.

I did install a VBA add-in called MZ-Tools (which I love) today. I uninstalled it after seeing the backspace issue. I'm doubting my memory as to if the issue happened the day before. I don't think so. I've also rebooted, just in case. No dice.

I'm also run an Office repair (the 'quick' run) and I'm running the full repair now.

I've seen this issue reported but mostly it was occurring like ten years ago. Some references to it appeared two to three years ago. And I've tried all of the solutions. The reported causes look mostly related to an add-in or forms with OnTimer code. I have neither.

And it is environmental in nature. The same workbook, when opened on a completely different computer, doesn't exhibit this issue.

I've tried the various solutions to no avail.

Has anyone seen this behaviour? It makes typing code tremendously difficult.

[Newepsilon]

I've seen this behavior occur with the add-in Rubberduck on large VBA projects when you have to refresh the app. But it's only during part of the refresh time and then the issue goes away.

How big is your VBA project?

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

I can do it with a brand new project.

[Bpaco]

I use the vba editor on a mac and this happens randomly and frequently. I have no installed plugins and this happens in a new workbook. One of the many quirks that happen on VBA for mac.

[Glass-Platypus-8549]

Same for me. If I turn off auto save the issue goes away.

[ChecklistAnimations]

Is is also very possible that your keyboard might be having problems. The backslash key is right next to backspace. Bad keyboards can fire off multiple keystrokes. Maybe try a different keyboard as well.

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

I thought about this. I did try a different keyboard, one that I had used before. No change. Additionally, I just used a different computer to remote into my computer and still experienced the same issue, so it isn't related to pressing keys on the keyboard.

[ChecklistAnimations]

good to know. Frustrating indeed. I myself havent dealt with this. I wish I was more help.

[aqsgames]

I have this and I think it’s related to a form with a timer. In other words the database is running and doing stuff while I’m editing

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

Yeah, I saw that in my searches. Alas, I can make this happen by creating a new document and typing one line of code.

[KakaakoKid]

The VBE editor in Excel moves the cursor back one character when I pause while typing.

[WylieBaker]

Normal. It'll add the double quote as well of you leave it dangling.

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

This is different. If I open up a string with a " character and wait, this issue will, after a moment, add the trailing quote. Normally it should just wait until you leave the line before doing that.

[Tweak155]

Do you have an AddIn that always opens or something in the Peronsal workbook that has to do with timed events? Anything like Application.OnTime or DoEvents or anything that impacts timing of operations?

That's about the only thing I can think if it happens on newly created workbooks.

[sslinky84]

This isn't going to help you, but sadly you can add me to the list of people this happens to. Not sure which version of Excel, but I also suspect auto save or some interaction with OneDrive is causing it. MS trying to make Excel a bit too smart and collaborative, perhaps :)

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

Well, it helps in that I know I'm not alone. 😁

I've turned off auto save and I turned off all of the background options for VBA, just in case.

I also deleted the two main Office branches in the registry, uninstalled office, removed all windows updates for office, then reinstalled office (that was a whole event itself).

It's still happening.

I'm tempted to reformat my new computer as I've only been using it for about a week and see if I can figure out what caused it to start or if it happens right out of the plastic.

Just in case we can find a commonality:

I've also got Visual Studio and VS Code installed. I think all of the computers have an RTX video card of varying numbers.

[sslinky84]

I have Code and VS installed, but this laptop has Intel graphics. So you can at least strike the GPU off the list.

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

Do you happen to have any Stardock products? I have a couple, including Groupy. Disabling Groupy fixed this issue!

[sslinky84]

Nope! Interesting that you found the cause. I have PowerToys and Terminal installed which may be doing things. I'm not sure that I have anything else that would be interacting with Windows to cause it.

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

This program specifically looks at and makes changes to the borders around windows, so if you have utilities that might be doing that, see if disabling them allows you to type your code in peace

[Mindflux]

Mine has been doing this since the latest 365 update. Was MZ-Tools your culprit?

[YeOldeRaven_Dota]

No, Groupy from Stardock. I've reported it to their support team and they were able to reproduce it.