Forum Discussion
automating locking of group of cells
Rajesh_Sinha Hey! Thanks for the offer, I appreciate the help very much. I've attached a blank version of the workbook that need help with. Maybe you could use it to instruct me. Go to the Oct 2021 tab and see the tables at the very top that are labled. Each repeating row of tables represent a day in the month of October. Everyday data gets put into the empty cells by multiple people. At the end of the day at 11pm, I would like those tables to become locked for security reasons and continue to automatically lock as each day passes at 11pm. I've attached the workbook and a pdf showing exactly which group of cells (circled in red) that needs to be locked with each passing day. Let me know if there is a way to make this happen in VBA Macros. I am eager to have more knowledge under my belt, so again, much appreciated!
This will help you, protects particular Sheet at particular TIME.
Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Application.OnTime Now + TimeValue("11:00:00"), "ProtectMysheets"
End SubWhere ProtectMysheets is also VBA macro.
This code has Sheet name along with Passcode.
Sub ProtectMysheets()
Sheets("Sheet1").Protect Password:="YourPassword"
Sheets("Sheet5").Protect Password:="YourPassword"
End Sub
- You may add as many Sheets & replace YourPassword with a Pass code of your choice, remember Pass code is Case sensitive.
- Suggested to protect entire sheet instead of TABLE since sheet has many Tables.
But if you are disparately looking to lock the Table then use the following VBA code, lock Range of cells, you need to use the cell range to lock particular Table.
Private Sub workbook_open()
Dim systime As String
Dim mypassword As String
systime = Format(Now, "hh:mm:ss")
mypassword = "abcd"
If TimeValue(systime) > TimeValue("11:00:00") Then
With ThisWorkbook.ActiveSheet
.Unprotect Password:=mypassword
.Range("B2:F40").Locked = True
.Protect Password:=mypassword
End With
ThisWorkbook.Save
End If
End Sub
- Where Pass code abcd, Time 11:00:00 & Range for Table B2:F40 are editable.
Hey! Thanks for the codes. I am going to attempt to make this happen with the last one you provided. I've been trying to put the code into a module, but nothing is happening and I can't seem to be able to run the macro. Am I doing something wrong? Should I be inputting this elsewhere? I'm selecting the sheet labeled MAY 2021 in the excel file, right-clicking and selecting View Code, which bring up the VBA window. see image.
Then I select Sheet 6(MAY 2021) from the project box and right click on INSERT to select MODULE. Once the module box pops up, I copy the code you provided with adjustments to the password and time as needed. After that, I don't know how to test it or run it to make it work.
Can you help me out? I have never worked with VBA Macro before 🙂
Thank you!
- Noo,,, as soon you reach to the VBA editor,,, simply Copy & Paste any of the codes is required,,, and Excel will save it as STANDARD MODULE,, no need to Save as MODULE !! Do this select the Sheet where you want to apply the MACRO,, either press ALT+F11 or Right Click the Sheet Tab,,, and hit View Code,,, you find VB editor is now open,, the Copy & Paste any code,,, remember first two Macros are related to each other,, so Copy them together,,, 3 rd one is independent,, also Either use 1st & 2nd or ONLY 3rd,,, otherwise you get an Error since it will duplicate the WORKBOOK OPEN event,,, SAVE & Return to Sheet.. Close the Workbook. Now as soon you open the same Workbook,,, find the effects !!
Rajesh-S, do I have to use military time format? I've tried using both options, 1&2 together as well as the 3rd code by itself and nothing is happening. If the locking works, then I shouldn't be able to delete any data in either the sheets I've chosen to lock or in the cells I've input in the RANGE, right? What am I missing?