Conditional Formatting for Cells with Formulas

[cheddarthief]

Is there a way to use conditional formatting to flag that something has been typed in a cell that should be calculated? I have a spreadsheet I need to share but with people that do not understand where and where they should NOT enter data at times. I'm trying to dummy-proof the spreadsheet a bit.

For example: if cell A3 reads "=A1+A2", then that cell is meant to sum these values and should not be used to enter data. I've tried locking cells and using the Protect Worksheet function but this creates other issues that I won't get into.

What I want to do is us conditional formatting to flag that cell with a RED fill as bold statement that you've done something you shouldn't do. Is this possible?

Thanks in advance,
cheddarthief

[Winon]

Hi Cheddarthief,

You could use Data Validation and set usr input to "0"

[NBVC]

here is a way to format cells containing/not containing formulas.

http://www.j-walk.com/ss/excel/usertips/tip045.htm

[Fotis1991]

Hi cheddarthief

In your case, i believe that the best is to lock your cells that don't want to change your users.

You can use in A3, Data>>>>Validation>>>>>Custom>>>and for your example>>SUM(A1:A2)

Then no user can type anything in A3!

Hope to helps you.

[cheddarthief]

Gentlemen,
All of these ideas were great and I was able to do a hybrid of them to get the exact results I was looking at obtaining. Thanks so much.

cheddarthief

[cheddarthief]

Fotis,
Okay this is weird. I set up a new spreadsheet completely unrelated to the prior. I used the Data Validation Custom and added the formula as I did the last time. However, for some reason the spreadsheet is allowing me to type in the cell that is supposed to be set up so I can't. Did I miss something? I tried to upload it but the new file uploader on here really sucks. Keeps rejecting it. Not sure why.

CheddarThief