Protection

[dfenton21]

Hi All,

Is there a way of preventing a cell from being deleted/altered once text has been typed in.

The user must still be able to enter text into a empty cell (but can't change the cell when finished)

Thanks,
Damien

 

[pgc01]

Hi Damien

Protect the sheet with the cells unlocked. Each time the user changes the value of a cell, lock it.

 

[dfenton21]

Thanks, but can this be automated.

 

[pgc01]

Yes, that's what I meant.

Example.

- Select the sheet cells, format the cells with protection unlocked

- protect the sheet (in this example don't use password)

- paste in the sheet module:

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)

If Target <> "" Then
    Unprotect
    Target.Locked = True
    Protect
End If
End Sub

Now each time you change the value of a cell it will be locked.

 

[dfenton21]

That worked, thanks very much.

I have one other question,

When a user does try to alter a protected cell, is it possible to display a custom message, rather than the standard protection message from Excel.

Thanks,
Damien

 

[pgc01]

When a user does try to alter a protected cell, is it possible to display a custom message, rather than the standard protection message from Excel.

I may be wrong, but I don't think you can change the message.

An alternative is simply do not let the user select locked cells. This way you don't have to worry about the message.

If you want to try it, execute the statement:

ActiveSheet.EnableSelection = xlUnlockedCells

From now on:

- you will not be able to select locked cells

- if you change the value of an unlocked cell, the Event procedure will lock the cell and excel will automatically select an unlocked cell