How to lock the NOW function?

[Mhace]

Hi,

I'm a newbie here and I'm working on our Attendance Sheet for our team. Is it possible to lock the =NOW() function? beacause i want to use it as Time-in indicator. Once I open the file it will automatically sets the Time-in using the NOW function but the only problem is I don't know how to lock it so that no one can change the time-in column once they open the file. Can someone help me? Coz everytime I save it then close it the moment I open the file to check the time changes. Please please help!!!

[Fotis1991]

You need time stamp for this.

http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/timestamp.html

[AndyLitch]

No you can't lock the function because it's volatile by nature... I'm not sure that Time stamping is even possible by functions alone (but I'm sure someone will prove me wrong)
A VBA method
1. The Now() function resides in a single (hidden) cell somewhere ... A1 for this example
2. The column for Time stamping (In) is C
3. Put this code in the worksheet module

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Now to Time stamp a cell in column C you just double click on it.

[Fotis1991]

No you can't lock the function because it's volatile by nature... I'm not sure that Time stamping is even possible by functions alone (but I'm sure someone will prove me wrong)

.

I have use this way, more than 100 times...and more than 10 examples in this forum.

[JosephP]

if you're going to use code it's easier to use

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rather than put a NOW() formula in a cell ;-)

[AndyLitch]

I knew there would be an answer and i know it's a very common question.... I've not searched for old answers to this because I have my own solution which works very well and I just shared it with MHace ... Does that offend you Fotis?

[AndyLitch]

I use the worksheet now because it automatically operates in the local date/time format.... I've had issues passing dates between VBA and the worksheet in the past because VBA is locked to the American standard... This may have changed but I don't know so i offer up the simplest solutions where possible

[Fotis1991]

I knew there would be an answer and i know it's a very common question.... I've not searched for old answers to this because I have my own solution which works very well and I just shared it with MHace ... Does that offend you Fotis?

If you knew, why did you asked?-Just i ask. i don't need an answer.

Well done!!

Should i ???. Unfortunnately no. I just don't care.

[JosephP]

there are only regional issues when passing date/time strings to a sheet-date data types remain the same. date() and now() are both locale aware anyway :-)

[Mhace]

Thanks for quick reponse I will revert as soon as possible after trying your suggestions.