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jv2309's avatar
jv2309
Copper Contributor
Nov 22, 2021
Solved

How to prevent users from referencing to locked cell in Excel

Is there a way to prevent users from referencing to locked cells? Or prevent them from typing in a reference formula whatsoever?
  • The closest I could come was to format the unprotected cells as text. That would prevent the user from entering a working formula into the cell whilst allowing data input, albeit as text.

4 Replies

  • chahine's avatar
    chahine
    Iron Contributor

    jv2309 go to review tab, then protect sheet, then in dialog box just uncheck the select locked cells, then your locked cells cant be selected by the user 

    • jv2309's avatar
      jv2309
      Copper Contributor
      Thanks for the answer! However, let's say I've locked and hidden all cells in column F, I can still access the value by typing in "=F15" (for example) in an unlocked cell. Is there any way to avoid this? I tried to add a choice list so the user can't just type anything in the unlocked cell, but that doesn't work if the value in the locked "F" column has a value that's also an option in the choice list. I'd like to just prevent to let the user type a reference formula overall, is there a way to do this?
      • PeterBartholomew1's avatar
        PeterBartholomew1
        Silver Contributor
        The closest I could come was to format the unprotected cells as text. That would prevent the user from entering a working formula into the cell whilst allowing data input, albeit as text.

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