Why is it that once I protect certain cells in a sheet (I have a sheet
where people can only edit a certain range of cells) that the tab key
is disabled? I have an elaborate spreadsheet in which on the left
side I have my employees do data entry, and on the right side I have
the calculations. I need them to see the calcs in real time, but
can't risk them accidently messing up the formulas. The data entry
would be SOO much easier if they could use the tab key? Please
advise! |
Request for Question Clarification by
hummer-ga
on
30 Aug 2006 09:53 PDT
Hi durso,
If the right-hand calculations are in the farthest most column,
pressing [CTRL + Right Arrow Key] should work for you. Give it a try
and let me know how it goes.
Good luck,
hummer
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Clarification of Question by
durso-ga
on
30 Aug 2006 10:36 PDT
No, that doesn't work. What I want to do is get Excel to function
normally. When you are entering data in excel and press tab it goes
to the cell to the right, enter goes down one cell. When you protect
( a portion of ) the sheet, and you type in the cells which you can (
unprotected ) you can do anything you want to those cells, however,
tab doesn't go to the next cell. Its bizarre, and I can't figure it
out.
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Request for Question Clarification by
hummer-ga
on
30 Aug 2006 10:55 PDT
Hi durso,
The Tab key will be disabled for any protected cells. Is the next cell
that you want it to go to protected? I was under the impression that
you wanted it jump to the right where the (protected) calculations
are. If so, CTRL + Right Arrow should work. If the calculation cell is
in the middle somewhere, you could just use the Right Arrow key. But
the bottom line is (as far as I know), you can't Tab to any protected
cell.
Regards,
hummer
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Request for Question Clarification by
hummer-ga
on
30 Aug 2006 12:46 PDT
Here are a few links, durso. I'm afraid you can only Tab through
unprotected cells. Sorry, hummer
Restricting Navigation by using Protected Cells
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/navigation.htm
Protecting selective cells in Microsoft Excel
"You will notice that once the sheet is protected, you can use your
TAB key to move through each editable cell. This makes it easy for
users to get to areas that they need to enter data."
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6130-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=28596&messageID=323651
9. Skip From Cell to Cell
"You may have a spreadsheet set up with a number of data input cells.
Wouldn't it be nice if the user could just press the Tab key to jump
to the next input cell?
This type of thing is fairly easy to set up. The key is to unlock the
input cells, and then protect the worksheet. Here's how to do it:
1. Select all of the input cells on your worksheet. (To select
non-adjacent cells, hold down Ctrl while you select the cells.)
2. Select Format Cells to display the Format Cells dialog box.
3. Click the Protection tab and remove the check mark from the Locked check box.
4. Click OK."
"When the sheet is protected, you'll find pressing Tab moves the
heavy-bordered active cell indicator to the next unlocked cell. Be
aware that this does not prevent the user from selecting unlocked
cells using the cursor keys--unless you're using Excel 2002 and you
removed the check mark from 'Select locked cells' as described above."
http://pcworld.about.com/news/Oct112002id105312.htm
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Request for Question Clarification by
maniac-ga
on
30 Aug 2006 18:55 PDT
Hello Durso,
It may be possible to "prevent" your users from screwing up the
calculations without using worksheet protection (or using worksheet
protection / but keeping the calculations in cells that are
"unprotected").
The solution would use macros to control the actions taken when the
user selects / modifies cells. Any attempt to modify a cell within the
range with your calculations would be prevented by reverting the
formula to the original value.
Would you be interested in such a solution?
--Maniac
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Clarification of Question by
durso-ga
on
05 Sep 2006 11:30 PDT
Hummer,
You answered it. I have to unlock the sheet, select the cells I want
to be able to tab, format cells -> protection -> 'UNLOCK' cells.
Seems kind of redundant - I don't understand what else the advantage
of being a 'locked' cell is ... but it worked! Thanks, post an answer
and I'll clear it thx.
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