Question: Setting specific read/write permissions for objects on a protected workbook

Here's the deal:

I'm trying to make a sheet where one person is allowed to edit everything and insert PDF files displaying employee vacation requests. A few other people need to be able to go in there and look at these PDF files but not change them at all.

There are also two rows that I have open for editing using "Allow Users to Edit Ranges" on row 11 and 28

I also used a blanket 1:65555 password protected unlock on all the cells, but also gave the primary user full permission on it without a password

The problems I am running in to are:

A) when the sheet is protected nobody can even view the PDF files and the primary user cannot insert new ones (just gets "cannot insert object")

Now I realize you can use the permissions options when you are protecting the sheet to enable ALL users to edit objects, but that's not what I want. I want her to be able to edit objects and nobody else.

And also I realize she can just unprotect the sheet, add a PDF, then protect it again. But I really want to avoid that scenario if at all possible.

Does anyone here know any way to set individual permissions for the ability to edit objects on a protected sheet so that only she will be able to edit and insert them, and also so I can set it so the other few people can view them but not edit them?

Please help

Please guys it is so important

My job is on the line

you could password protect the whole sheet, but separately send the password to those who need to be able to edit it and refrain from giving it to those who should not be able to.

The password will always remain, but only those who know it will be able to edit the sheet

It's a good idea, but theres a trick to it

If I have all users able to edit objects turned off, then nobody can even click on them without unprotecting the sheet

if it's turned on they can all move and delete

so ok, set folder permissions so those who don't need to change anything just can't save it - then they can click and move and even delete whatever but they can't save so I don't care

but the catch is:

there is one person (besides the main owner) who needs to be able to add notes onto those couple of lines, and also be able to open up the pdf files. She needs to be able to save the file after - but we want to still restrict her from editing or erasing the pdf's

it's such a puzzle and I feel like theres gotta be an obvious answer that I'm just not seeing

Not giving us the options of 'view / modify erase', just 'edit' seems like a major design flaw

thanks for replying though!