Making a cell read-only

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This seems like it should be so simple, but I haven’t found a way to do it. I have a row of numbers whose total is placed in a cell. I don’t want to accidentally type in the cell, causing the formula to be erased. Is there a way to allow the calculation to occur and prevent manual entry into this one cell? I’m using OpenOffice’s spreadsheet, but I would think that this would be a common feature.

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As in Excel, this is a two-step process. By default all cells are locked, but this only becomes effective when you protect the sheet.

[*]We’ll start by unlocking some cells.

Select the cells that the user should be able to edit.
Select Format | Cells…
Activate the Cell Protection tab.
Clear the Protected check box.
Click OK.

[*]Now, we’ll turn on protection.

Select Tools | Protect Document | Sheet…
Enter a password and confirm it by entering exactly the same password in the next box.
Don’t forget it – write it down if necessary!
Click OK.

[*]If you need to edit the formula, select the same menu option and provide the password.

Note: many options are disabled when a sheet is protected.

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Note: many options are disabled when a sheet is protected.

In general, this is true, but you can selectively enable many of them in the Protect Worksheet dialog box.

David A. Gray

Designing for the Ages, One Challenge at a Time

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In general, this is true, but you can selectively enable many of them in the Protect Worksheet dialog box.

Depending on your version of Excel, of course.

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In general, this is true, but you can selectively enable many of them in the Protect Worksheet dialog box.

I don’t think this applies to OpenOffice.org.

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