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bobgilbert
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Joined: 25 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:56 am Post subject: Lock cells so that users cannot select |
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I am brand spanking new at Open Office and I am trying to figure out how to lock a cell in Calc so that the user cannot even select it. I have a timesheet style spreadsheet and I want the user to move to the cells that I designate when they arrow right or left and not to have to bounce through a bunch of blank columns and cells that are only there for spacing and/or looks.
I looked around in here for quite some time before asking but I was unable to find anything conclusive.
Thanks for your time. |
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billyboy
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Joined: 08 Sep 2005
Posts: 504
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
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| Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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Format ... Cells... Cell protection. You'll have to protect the sheet first.
HTH
Bill
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bobgilbert
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Joined: 25 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for your reply Bill.
I have tried every combination of "Protect", "Hidden", "Protect Sheet", and "Protect Document" that I could think of and I still can't get it setup to not allow cells to be selected by the user.
I can make cells not be modified, or to be hidden, but I haven't been able to make blank cells (Cells painted white) not be selected yet.
For clarification, In Excel 2007 I go to VIEW - PROTECT SHEET - and uncheck SELECT LOCKED CELLS to create this same effect.
As you have probably guessed, I am likely doing something stupid  |
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jello
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Joined: 15 Oct 2006
Posts: 11
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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Hmm, I don't think the "select locked cells" option is available in OOo. Excel seems to offer many more options with regards to protection.
What about removing all the borders and merging all the cells you don't want them to click on?  |
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David
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Joined: 24 Oct 2003
Posts: 5668
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:06 am Post subject: |
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| bobgilbert wrote: | Thanks for your reply Bill.
I have tried every combination of "Protect", "Hidden", "Protect Sheet", and "Protect Document" that I could think of and I still can't get it setup to not allow cells to be selected by the user.
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Why worry about the ability to "select" a cell if the user can still not then copy or make changes to a locked cell in any event?
David. |
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huwg
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Joined: 14 Feb 2007
Posts: 890
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swingkyd
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Joined: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 479
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| huwg wrote: | | I think bobgilbert wants input-focus to move between certain cells for fast data entry. |
Doesn't this behaviour happen anyway when pressing "tab" to get between unprotected cells when a sheet is protected?
Also, a really easy way of determining what cells are protected is to turn on "View->Value highlighting" with the sheet being protected. But everything else will have a grey background so maybe that is not what you want. |
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bobgilbert
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Joined: 25 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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| huwg wrote: | | I think bobgilbert wants input-focus to move between certain cells for fast data entry. |
Yes, that is it exactly.
When I created the original form in Excel I used tiny columns and rows because space was at a premium for what I was doing and I knew that I would need every millimeter in order to make the form work properly.
This is a problem for the sheet in Calc because now to jump from one data entry spot to the next they sometimes have to arrow or tab over through several columns or lines to get to the next data entry location.
In between my daily work, I am looking at the links you all have provided and attempting to re-create any advice that you have given so far. it is possible that a solution that will work has already been provided but, in all honesty, i have not had time to attempt many of them yet.
Thanks, and be assured that any previous or future replies will be attempted and are very much appreciated. |
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huwg
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Joined: 14 Feb 2007
Posts: 890
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:10 am Post subject: |
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| bobgilbert wrote: | | In between my daily work, I am looking at the links you all have provided and attempting to re-create any advice that you have given so far. it is possible that a solution that will work has already been provided |
The only advice I gave in the other thread was regarding the Tab key (its function in Calc is different from that in Excel). Sorry, I don't think you can achieve what you want at the moment.
| swingkyd wrote: | | Doesn't this behaviour happen anyway when pressing "tab" to get between unprotected cells when a sheet is protected? |
Not in Calc. Excel can be configured that way. | swingkyd wrote: | | Also, a really easy way of determining what cells are protected is to turn on "View->Value highlighting" with the sheet being protected. But everything else will have a grey background so maybe that is not what you want. |
Cool! Didn't know that. |
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bobgilbert
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Joined: 25 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:57 am Post subject: |
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| As a work around for the moment, and just as an idea for anyone else that confronts this issue, I have merged the small rows and columns in between the cells used for data entry so that as they "Arrow" or "Enter" over at least they only have to go through one jump. |
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swingkyd
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Joined: 15 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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| huwg wrote: | | swingkyd wrote: | | Doesn't this behaviour happen anyway when pressing "tab" to get between unprotected cells when a sheet is protected? |
Not in Calc. Excel can be configured that way. | swingkyd wrote: | | Also, a really easy way of determining what cells are protected is to turn on "View->Value highlighting" with the sheet being protected. But everything else will have a grey background so maybe that is not what you want. |
Cool! Didn't know that. |
That is really strange because in Calc, I can tab between unprotected cells only when the sheet is protected. Is there some other behaviour that is desired that I am not understanding here? It is still possible to "mouse" to the cell, but the cell cannot be modified. |
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jello
General User
Joined: 15 Oct 2006
Posts: 11
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | That is really strange because in Calc, I can tab between unprotected cells only when the sheet is protected. Is there some other behaviour that is desired that I am not understanding here? It is still possible to "mouse" to the cell, but the cell cannot be modified. |
I get the same behavior. If I protect all other cells, and then protect the sheet (and then turn View -> Value Highlighting on), only the unprotected cells are visible. Using tab switches between the unprotected cells. |
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huwg
Super User
Joined: 14 Feb 2007
Posts: 890
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:23 am Post subject: |
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You're right. I'm not keeping up. It didn't used to work like that.
You still need to be aware that Tab's primary function in Calc is Tools >Cell Contents > AutoInput. If that option is enabled then, if there is an AutoInput choice to be made, you won't be able to Tab to the next unprotected cell until Enter has been pressed. |
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lee.2819
Newbie
Joined: 31 Dec 2011
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 12:06 am Post subject: I want to disable other users' ability to SELECT cell |
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Hello,
I want to disable other users' ability to SELECT certain COLUMN.
My purpose is not just for faster input, but to protect the information on the sheet.
I'm actually sharing the file with several people, but some of the user does not have access to some of the information, for example, the PRICING COLUMN. but the other column contains other technical information.
In Excel, I can simply disable the users' ability to select the cell. lock the sheet.
If i cant disable that feature, no point in locking, and hiding.
i can still drag (with a mouse) across the columns, hit CTRL+C, then paste some where else, i can still be able to review the CONFIDENTIAL information.
Is there anyway i can get around that?
thank you. |
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mgroenescheij
Super User
Joined: 20 Apr 2011
Posts: 862
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:12 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
If all you want is: | Quote: | | I want to disable other users' ability to SELECT certain COLUMN. |
Hide the column and protect your sheet.
| Quote: | My purpose is not just for faster input, but to protect the information on the sheet.
In Excel, I can simply disable the users' ability to select the cell. lock the sheet. |
The fact that a user can't select a cell doesn't stop him from viewing the content which is the same for Excel.
What you can do is hide the content by merging with the previous cell when the popup ask you Should the contents of the hidden cells be moved into the firts cell? answer No the content is still in the cell but invisible.
Martin
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