How to keep inputs hidden from other users in a shared workbook?

[stastim]

I have an Excel 2010 workbook with multiple columns for users to enter their rankings (one column per user). I then want to calculate simple and wtd averages and do some analysis. What's the best way to have them enter their rankings? I was thinking about making the file shared but then how do I hide inputs from everyone else to see? I want each user to only see their own inputs to avoid any kind of bias.

 

[jmacleary]

Hi there. Why not have a separate workbook for each user and combine their inputs into your overall workbook?

 

[stastim]

Hi there. Why not have a separate workbook for each user and combine their inputs into your overall workbook?

Hi, I thought about it but then the individual spreadsheets need to be saved in a shared location for people to access them. So, there's a chance that they still may see other people's inputs. I guess I could protect each file with a unique password but it's not ideal that only the user and I will know. Or how do you envision it?

 

[jmacleary]

That's pretty much what I had in mind but with the difference that I imagined each user to have a separate folder. If each of your users has a folder unique to them (in our office we all have access to a folder with our name and only the user and admin can access the folder) you could place the workbooks there? Obviously the admin user (you?) would have to give you at least read access to each individual folder. If I think of any other way I'll post again (my best ideas occur at around 3am BST!).

 

[stastim]

That's pretty much what I had in mind but with the difference that I imagined each user to have a separate folder. If each of your users has a folder unique to them (in our office we all have access to a folder with our name and only the user and admin can access the folder) you could place the workbooks there? Obviously the admin user (you?) would have to give you at least read access to each individual folder. If I think of any other way I'll post again (my best ideas occur at around 3am BST!).

Same here. I'll explore it. Thank you for posting!