apply protecting sheet on "unlocked" cells

[lezawang]

Hi

I selected the whole sheet then went to format cell-->protection--> unchecked "lock" cell. Which means all cells are unlocked now. Then When I tried to go to Review-->protect sheet and click ok (left everything as default). I am no more able to format any cell! formatting tools are grayed out. I can edit cells but not formatting any?

I thought that rule (preview-->protect sheet) apply on ONLY locked cells as it clearly mentioned "Protect worksheet and content of locked cells". Why I can not format them when they are Unlocked?

Thanks

 

[mikerickson]

The woding is unclear, it should be "protect worksheet AND content of locked cells"


Locking/unlocking a cell only effects protection of the contents, not formatting etc.

Depending on which version of Excel, when you protect a workSHEET, you have an option to allow the user to format cells.

 

[lezawang]

Thanks for your reply. I think I am not making myself clear. Let me try again.
All my cells are unlocked. I thought applying that rule should not effect my cells because they are unlocked and in that rule it is clearly mentioned that the rule will apply on locked cells.
I am using 2010 and 2013. Thanks

 

[mikerickson]

... I thought applying that rule should not effect my cells because they are unlocked and in that rule it is clearly mentioned that the rule will apply on locked cells...

Microsoft's terminology misled you.
The Allow Formattig Cells option must be checked when protecting a sheet if one wants to change the formatting of any cell, including unlocked cells.