password protected:can I secure a sheet when it's a vlookup design?

can I secure a sheet when it's a vlookup design?
I have 2 sheets... sheet 1 is for my vlookup formula, sheet 2 is where
all my data reside and it's hidden.

now. sheet 1 is interactive where-in users enter in an area code, hit
enter then it populates the data from the sheet 2.

I tried password protection but if I did that, it won't let users enter
in an area code hence extract info. from sheet2.

what's my alternative?

Protect the sheets but unlock the cells the user needs access to.

to unlock, go to:
format<>cells<>protection

--
Greetings from New Zealand
Bill K

"guideme" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> can I secure a sheet when it's a vlookup design?
> I have 2 sheets... sheet 1 is for my vlookup formula, sheet 2 is where
> all my data reside and it's hidden.
>
> now. sheet 1 is interactive where-in users enter in an area code, hit
> enter then it populates the data from the sheet 2.
>
> I tried password protection but if I did that, it won't let users enter
> in an area code hence extract info. from sheet2.
>
> what's my alternative?
>

Hi Bill,
Thanks that worked, but I have another problem... I want the cursor to
stay on the cell where they enter the area code on that specific sheet
only.
(not the whole excel program).
Bec. when I went to Tools/options/edit/uncheck the "Move selection
after Enter".
Every time I work on another worksheet which is unrelated to the said
sheet. The cursor does not move down when I hit enter, of course it
works when I hit arrow down or up.
any insights?

This requires a small macro instruction into the worksheet code.

To get there
right click onto the sheet tab and select <>view code<>

select "worksheet" in the dropdown list which shows "(General)"
select on the right window "activate" and paste the code

Application.MoveAfterReturn = False

between the Private sub()........and
End sub() lines.

select "deativate" and paste the code

Application.MoveAfterReturn = True

between the Private sub() and
End sub() lines.

Greetings from New Zealand
Bill K

"guideme" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi Bill,
> Thanks that worked, but I have another problem... I want the cursor to
> stay on the cell where they enter the area code on that specific sheet
> only.
> (not the whole excel program).
> Bec. when I went to Tools/options/edit/uncheck the "Move selection
> after Enter".
> Every time I work on another worksheet which is unrelated to the said
> sheet. The cursor does not move down when I hit enter, of course it
> works when I hit arrow down or up.
> any insights?
>