ASAP: Need ideas for a protected/shared workbook for meeting

[sirenetta1]

Hello,

I have a 2pm meeting today with some colleages to discuss having a protected/shared worksheet that multiple users can enter data.

The problem I'm having is that I can protect the worksheet, limiting the users to only enter in certain columns, etc. That should protect valuable data from getting typed over, etc.

However, if during the day, I need to update a protected worksheet while one of these users is entering info, I've found that unprotecting the sheet, adding in info, and then protecting the sheet again will kick the user out of the spreadsheet. The user won't be able ot save any data that he/she has been working on.

I don't know that much about protecting/sharing a workbook, but the team will want a response about how we can have a protected shared worksheet that can be edited by key personnel without limiting the saving function for regular users?

I have this meeting at 2pm, US central time... any help is appreciated!

 

[TrippyTom]

Well, it's now 5 hours PAST your time limit. I just wanted to point out this is a volunteer forum. Please don't give us time limits; that kind of thing is always looked down on, no matter what forum it is.

Having said that, I think your best solution is to have each user click a macro that sends their data to a central depository (your main file) row by row. That way, it will open the file only for a second or two and you won't have to worry about someone being in it.

How to actually do it is beyond me, but that seems the best way to avoid your problem. Maybe others have better ideas. I hope your meeting went well.

 

[sirenetta1]

Sorry about the time...

I'd like to apologize to the board for giving a timeframe for a solution. I realize now that this wasn't the right procedure for my posting.

I'm not sure about macros either, and I have very limited experience with them. We are a team of average Excel users, not high tech. We couldn't macro our way out of a paper bag!

The ideal system would be 1 tracking sheet with all info and columns allowed only for data entry. The other info would be locked. The worksheet would need to be shared so that all can access. The worksheet would need to have some way to allow certain people to edit lock rows without unprotecting the sheet (so that others working wouldn't be kicked out of the spreadsheet).

Is that possible? Is it possible to have a shared/protected workbook where certain users can edit locked cells without unprotecting the sheet?

Thanks for your help!

 

[sirenetta1]

Figured it out...

We figured out a way to have a shared workbook with a password to unlock certain cells for access when needed. So, this problem looks to be solved. Thanks!