Pasting from word into Excel

**Dave-R-W** · 04-03-2009, 09:48 AM

I have an excel 2000 spreadsheet which is locked (worksheet protected using a password). For cells requiring direct user input, the cell's 'locked' property is unticked. However, if text is copied from a Word document into one of these unlocked cells, this property is then set to 'locked', even though the worksheet is protected (and 'format cells' is greyed out). This means the user cannot change or delete the info they've just pasted!

the same also occurs in Excel 2003

How can I prevent this change to the 'locked' property?

Thanks in advance!

**ChemistB** · 04-03-2009, 09:56 AM

Huh, I'd never seen this before but you are right. You'll need to Paste Special>Text to the cells. That's preferible normally anyway because it does not mess with the cell formatting. Alternately, if you're pasting 1 cell at a time, you can paste into the formula box.
Will that work for you?

**mubashir aziz** · 04-03-2009, 10:04 AM

It you use Paste Special > Values then this problem will not occur!!! or Paste Special > Text ...

**Dave-R-W** · 04-03-2009, 10:07 AM

Thanks - but I have 50+ users, and someone will insist on just pasting (human nature I know) - presumably I'd have to dip into VBA to prevent them simply pasting?

**mubashir aziz** · 04-03-2009, 10:20 AM

They paste in a single cell one by one or in range of cells ????

**shg** · 04-03-2009, 10:29 AM

I think you'll need to disable the Paste button on workbook activation and re-enable it on deactivation.

**Dave-R-W** · 04-03-2009, 10:34 AM

Normally it would be paste into one cell, but there are situations where it could be paste into a group.

I think SHG's answer is probably the right one.

Thanks all.