Drop Down List Unprotect/Protect Sheet

[thatkat]

Hello all,

I have a sheet with a drop down list made using data validation. The value selected in the drop down list functions as the lookup_value for a bunch of vlookups. I'd like to "protect" the sheet in some way as the users are not necessarily Excel savvy and I don't want the vlookups being messed with. However, protecting the sheet through the Protect Sheet function will not work, I believe because the calculation cells technically "change" with the drop down selection.

From reading online, it seems like the answer is to add an ActiveX combo box and use VBA to tie an unprotect and then a protect command to the dropdownclick event? Basically to allow the sheet to be unprotected for a moment, perform the calculations, and then be protected again? However, I am new to macros/VBA and out of my depth. Any suggestions or assistance would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[rlv01]

You can exclude the cells with the drop down data validation and allow just those to be changed when the sheet is protected by unchecking the "Locked" box for those cells using the protection tab of the cell format dialog.

 

[thatkat]

You can exclude the cells with the drop down data validation and allow just those to be changed when the sheet is protected by unchecking the "Locked" box for those cells using the protection tab of the cell format dialog.

View attachment 48424

Hi thanks for responding.

I could have sworn this wasn't working last night, but now it is doing exactly what I needed it to do. Ended up locking and hiding the formulas in the calculation cells. Don't do Excel work when tired I guess. Thanks!

 

[rlv01]

Don't do Excel work when tired I guess. Thanks!

Amen to that!