An FAQ that never seems to be answered: autofiltering with protection on...

[JLC]

Hey everybody,

I just did a quick search on this topic and found multiple posts, but none answered my particular question. Here's the situation:

I'm using Microsoft Excel 2003.

I have created an autofilter for a cell range and then protected the sheet with the "Use Autofilter" box marked. The autofilter seems to be functioning properly with one exception:

It won't let me use either the "Sort Ascending" or "Sort Descending" features in any column. Instead, I receive the standard cell protection error message:

The cell or chart you are trying to change is protected and therefore read-only.

To modify a protected cell or chart, first remove protection using the Unprotect Sheet command (Tools menu, Protection submenu). You may be prompted for a password.

I have tried

• unlocking all cells in the filter,
• unlocking the header cells,
• limiting the filter to 10 rows and unlocking row 11, and
• allowing various other permissions with protection.

Does anyone know how to fix this? ideally, without leaving the cells unlocked?

Thanks in advance,
j

[Debra Dalgleish]

The entire list, including heading cells, would have to be unlocked, in
order to sort on a protected sheet.
Enable Sort and Autofilter when you protect the sheet.



JLC wrote:
> Hey everybody,
>
> I just did a quick search on this topic and found multiple posts, but
> none answered my particular question. Here's the situation:
>
> I'm using Microsoft Excel 2003.
>
> I have created an autofilter for a cell range and then protected the
> sheet with the "Use Autofilter" box marked. The autofilter seems to be
> functioning properly with one exception:
>
> It won't let me use either the "Sort Ascending" or "Sort Descending"
> features in any column. Instead, I receive the standard cell protection
> error message:
>
>
>>The cell or chart you are trying to change is protected and therefore
>>read-only.
>>
>>To modify a protected cell or chart, first remove protection using the
>>Unprotect Sheet command (Tools menu, Protection submenu). You may be
>>prompted for a password.
>
>
> I have tried
>
> - unlocking all cells in the filter,
> - unlocking the header cells,
> - limiting the filter to 10 rows and unlocking row 11, and
> - allowing various other permissions with protection.
>
>
> Does anyone know how to fix this? ideally, without leaving the cells
> unlocked?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> j
>
>


--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html