MS-Excel / General Formatting

Locking Formula Cells in a Template File

If novices will use the template, you might consider locking all the formula cells to make sure that the formulas are not deleted or modified.

  1. Press F5 to display the Go To dialog box.
  2. Click the Special button to display the Go To Special dialog box.
  3. Select Constants and click OK. This step selects all of the nonformula cells.
  4. Right-click any one of the selected cells and choose Format Cells from the shortcut menu. The Format Cells dialog box appears.
  5. In the Format Cells dialog box, click the Protection tab.
  6. Remove the check mark from the Locked check box.
  7. Click OK to close the Format Cells dialog box.
  8. Choose Tools => Protection => Protect Sheet to display the Protect Sheet dialog box.
  9. Specify a password if you like and click OK.

After you perform these steps, you can't modify the formula cells-unless the sheet is unprotected.

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In this tutorial:

  1. What are Templates in Excel 2003
  2. How to Create Templates?
  3. Working with Workbook Templates
  4. Understanding Custom Excel Templates
  5. Creating a Default Workbook Template
  6. Changing Default Print Settings Using a Template
  7. Creating Custom Templates
  8. Ideas for creating Templates
  9. Learn About Templates Style
  10. Locking Formula Cells in a Template File