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mkhernandez79's avatar
mkhernandez79
Copper Contributor
Sep 08, 2022

Excel Online - Protecting Formulas - Issues

Hello,

 

I understand that in order to protect cells and formulas from being overwritten that I need to change the settings on the desktop version of Excel. However, when I do apply these settings and then upload the file to OneDrive to be used in Excel Online (for collaboration), I run into problems.

 

Basically, users cannot enter information in any fields, regardless of whether those cells were protected or not. Is there a security option I am missing? Do I need to change something in the online version as well? I am tired of people overwriting my formulas and breaking the workbooks.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  • mtarler's avatar
    mtarler
    Silver Contributor

    mkhernandez79  I know dealing with protection is a newer feature in online excel and don't know how well it 'plays' with desktop settings.  Maybe just set the protection online:

    as you can see you can add ranges to allow editing.

    • mkhernandez79's avatar
      mkhernandez79
      Copper Contributor

      Hi mtarler, thank you for your help! I actually found that it would work but unfortunately, once I enact protection, it no longer allows auto-fill of a new row in a table. I know I can leave access open to add a row, but I have trouble getting people to sort by headers, let alone use the "Insert Row" command...Any way around that particular issue? Thanks again!! 

      • mtarler's avatar
        mtarler
        Silver Contributor
        not sure. so if I'm understanding you have a table and if you lock some of those columns and someone tries to add a new row the table doesn't detect/add the new row or if it does it doesn't auto fill the formulas in the 'locked' columns to that new row?
        and I don't know how the sort by headers fits in here.
        as for the former issue, maybe you could use a button to run a script to insert the the new row in the table (i.e. unlock, insert, re-lock) for them to then fill in? if that is even the issue

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