Vlookup won't work b/c users copy/paste data and it changes the format of the locked cell

I built an extensive worksheet for users to submit requests to our group. Based on the information input in one section a vlookup returns a value needed in another cell. This works fine if they just type in the data into the first cell; however, I've found that many are doing a copy/paste, which of course changes the format and causes the vlookup not to work. The worksheet is protected, but this of course does not protect format changes to a cell is the user copy/pastes. There should be a simple solution for this, but I cannot find it anywhere.

It affects the output if the data is formatted as number or as text.

The data on the table is actually TEXT though b/c it is a query output.

So - here are more details.

The lookup table has values that are all TEXT from the output of the query. The vlookup on another sheet refers to a cell that is TEXT or NUMBERS depending on if the user inputs the data by typing it in or sometimes they copy/paste the value. If they type the number in the cell, the vlookup works fine. However, if the copy/paste it will not work b/c this changes the format of the cell. I am sorry I don't know another way to explain this - what I would like to know is if there is a way to retain the original format of the cell even when the user inputs via the copy/paste method.

Sorry, not trying to "draw this out as long as possible" - I didn't realize my explanation wasn't detailed enough.

Oh - that worked!!! Thanks so much!