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Lost formatting

  1. #1
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    Lost formatting

    I have a workbook that is used by others and has been working reasonably well for several years. The users are youngsters who tend to play with it when a bit bored but I usually manage to put things right. They seem to have done something special this time.

    The formatting for dates, time and money has gone and I cannot correct it. I have tried the usual formatting of cells, painting formats from other sheets, copying and pasting formats all to no avail. The whole sheet is effected so that new entries appear the same way although the correct format appears in the formula bar.

    I don't know if this is relevant but the sheet relies on VBA form inputs. The code is password protected and only I know the password.

    The PC is not connect to the internet or a network so I have ruled out a virus. (As far as I know, no floppies or USB sticks have been used on it either.)

    Any ideas please?

  2. #2
    Forum Expert oldchippy's Avatar
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    Have they applied conditional formatting to the cells?
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    No conditional formatting.

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    I've just found that I can change the format of a cell but that does not change what appears in a cell. EG, if I change the cell format from time to a number then click on the cell it is unchanged but in the formula bar does.

    I have also tried a formula but only the formula is displayed. EG, I type "=1+1" and that's what is displayed in the cell rather than "2"

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    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    I have also tried a formula but only the formula is displayed. EG, I type "=1+1" and that's what is displayed in the cell rather than "2"
    Are the cells formatted as Text?
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    The cells are correctly formatted as date, time, number as appropriate but the formats are not being displayed. IE, "=1+1" displays in a number formatted cell as "=1+1" and not 2.

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    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    Can you post an example?

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    tools/options/view uncheck formulas?

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    Quote Originally Posted by shg View Post
    Can you post an example?
    The formula bar displays "19:31:42" the cell displays "0.813680555555556". The cell is formatted as time.

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    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    A workbook.

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    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by martindwilson View Post
    tools/options/view uncheck formulas?
    Thank you. Problem solved.

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    A supplementary question if I may. The workbook is supposed to rely entirely on input by VBA forms. The worksheet is protected with code that un-protects/protects the sheet during any transaction. The sheet can of course be easily unprotected at any time by anyone with a very basic knowledge of Excel.

    Can the sheet be password protected so that users can only use the forms. IE, stop them interferring with data already on the sheet?

  13. #13
    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    You could modify the code to trap all changes to the sheet that are not made by code, and to close the workbook with a stern message if it happens.

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    That sounds good. Any iea of the code to use?

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    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    Right now you have code that transfer data to the worksheet in some fashion. Turn events off before doing so, and turn them on afterward.

    Then, anything that triggers the change event is due to a user that has unprotected the sheet.

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    Thanks for that. I'll have a go at it.

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