Make specific cells in excel (the ones with formulas) uneditable by users

**baker2145** · 05-05-2014, 03:09 PM

My problem is I want to let users select all applicalbe rows in excel to copy into another software program, but I have specific cells in the worksheet that I DO NOT want users to edit. E.g., I would like protect all my formulas in the worksheets (locked from user changes) but allow them to copy, for examples, rows A through K.

Help

**TMS** · 05-05-2014, 03:14 PM

Lock the cells, and protect the sheet. In the protect sheet options, allow users to select locked cells.

They can select and copy them but they can't change them.

Regards, TMS

**FDibbins** · 05-05-2014, 03:21 PM

This is far from fool-proof, but excel security is weak at best...highlight the ranges you want users to access, right-click the range, select Security and Unlock them

Then right-click the sheet name, select Security, check what you want protected.

Play around with the settings til you get what you want
(note that if anyone knows how to unlock a sheet, they can get around this)

**TMS** · 05-05-2014, 03:40 PM

Please don't PM supplementary questions.

I was able to protect the specific cells I want, however, users can copy all the cells, paste into a new worksheet, and use this. Is it possible to allow users to copy and paste in to a new worksheet, but not allow them to copy the formulas--but rather the values? Or perhaps, can I hide the formulas and not let users view how certain cells are calculating?

When you protect lock the cells with formulae, tick Hide as well. Then, when the sheet is protected, users will only see the values, not the formulae.

Regards, TMS