Unable to Format Unlocked Cells with Protect Data Enabled (120826)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 2.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0b
This article was previously published under Q120826

SUMMARY

Using Protect Data in a Works spreadsheet disables some editing functions even if you are working in a column or row that is not locked.

MORE INFORMATION

Works does not check every cell in a selection to see whether it is locked or not. As a result, some options are automatically disabled by Protect Data (such as all of the fill, border, pattern, alignment, and number commands) to prevent any locked cells from being changed..

This behavior is by design.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE BEHAVIOR

  1. Create a new Spreadsheet document.
  2. Highlight the entire spreadsheet.
  3. From the Format menu, choose Protection.
  4. Clear the Locked box and choose OK.
  5. Select Column A and choose Protection from the Format menu.
  6. Select the Locked and Protect Data box, and choose OK.
  7. Enter some data in cell B1. Try to format the cell data as bold.
Result: You can enter the data in the cell, but you cannot format it as bold. You can enter data in any column except A, but you cannot change the format.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/6/2003
Keywords:kbhowto KB120826
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.