Clearing values not link references

[DrRayUSA]

Hello my fellow community users and experts-

I am looking for a way to allow the end users delete the existing values in cells without deleting the cell references links in those cells. I have linked several cells to duplicate values in certain other cells for the purposes of duplications. When I deleted the existing values (using the delete key on keyboard), it also deleted the linked references. Is there any way the current values can be deleted but still keep the original linked cell references.

THANK YOU 

[#2]

@DrRayUSA 

No, that is contradictory.

[#3]

Thank you Hans.
I found a way to do so. I was able to lock the cells that contained the linked references. But left the referenced cells unlocked. This way, the user can only change the unlocked cells. The changes then automatically reflect in the locked cells.
Thank you again