Edit constrain in a protect sheet

[owenchang]

Hi all,

I am now working on a data collection sheet and would need some helps from experts here, please kindly gives some advises.

I create a worksheet and want others to fill in structure design parameters (length, width, distance between two objects, etc). To better explain where I am interesting in so I insert pictures for illustration. I also protect the sheet because I don't want the users know my formula or edit items.

The question is that I also need users to insert picture/excel files in that protect sheet, if I don't click the "Edit Object" option when I protect the sheet, users could not insert files I request, however if I do select the "Edit Objects" option, user could insert files but they could also edit pictures I originally put for illustration.

Is there a way that I could make the sheet being protected, pictures I inserted cannot be moved/edited, but users could still insert pictures/files?

Thanks for your help in advance.

- Owen

 

[iliace]

Hi Owen,

Welcome to the Message Board!

In my experience, protected worksheets are always tricky in one way or another.

It is possible to do what you say by creating a macro, and programming a mechanism whereby the user selects an object to attach. The macro momentarily unprotects the worksheet, inserts (or deletes) the desired new object, and then re-protects the sheet.

Considering these complications, is it possible instead to code the instructions into the worksheet, without utilizing images? Perhaps you could put a link to the instructions, which reside on the Intranet or some other shared resource, instead of including them in every single Excel file? Is it really necessary for the end user to attach a file, or perhaps there is another place they could upload it to, again on the Intranet or some other shared resource?

Do give these ideas some thought.

 

[owenchang]

Hi iliace,

Thanks for giving the idea, it's necessary for the user to attach files because my purpose is to collect different files into one excel for better review. I will try to use another way for the illustration, looks like it's the simplest way to get what I want.

 

[iliace]

Can you put the illustration on a different sheet? Then you can have separate protection settings on the illustration (cannot Edit Objects), and the sheet where end user inserts their own object.