Forum Discussion
Allowing Filter in Protected sheet
Rissky1 You're right, but I've got it! I tried unlocking your sheet, but the password didn't work. I used the below solution and it worked for me.
Step 1: Make cells editable so that sorting will work.
Add cells we want to sort by a range and make that range editable in “Allow Users to Edit Ranges.” This allows users to edit these cells when the worksheet is protected, even if they are locked cells.
1.Select all the cells you would like the user to be able to sort, including their column headings.
2.Go to the Data tab and click Filter. An arrow should appear next to each column header.
3.Go to Review tab-> Allow Users to Edit Ranges 1.Click “New…”
2.Give the range a title.
3.“Refers to Cells” should already contain the cells you want to allow sorting on.
4.If you want to allow only certain people to sort, give the range a password.
5.Click “OK”
Step 2: Prevent users from editing these cells
When protecting the worksheet, uncheck “Select Locked Cells” worksheet protection property. This will prevent users from editing the cells.
1.In the “Allow Users to Edit Ranges” dialog: 1.Click “Protect Sheet…”
2.Give the worksheet a password
3.Uncheck the worksheet protection property called “Select Locked Cells”
4.Check the “Sort” property and the “AutoFilter” properties
5.Click “OK”
Source: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_excel-mso_other-mso_o365b/sort-edit-range-protected-sheet-errors-in-excel/8d50d3a4-d25b-44c1-8168-c41bd87c4c57
Understood. Of course if these users were that smart I could trust them to not screw up the spreadsheet in the first place. Counting on their lack of knowledge and inability to understand or execute VB routines to unlock the password 🙂
Thanks for your help.
Another option for you to consider.
Would it help if you created one or more pivot tables for your users. You would start by converting you data into a Table (using Format as Table or CNTRL + T). You could then create pivot tables (maybe with a country filter?) and other views of the data.
Having the data formatted as a table will also mean that you can easily add new records and refresh the pivots quickly.
I am not sure if this will be of any use to you - but just something else for you to think about!
good luck!
Peter