Sort cells if worksheet is protected

[Bengt]

I am trying to sort protected cells in a protected worksheet. When you protect your worksheet, there is a checkbox that, if checked, apparently should allow users to sort the worksheet, but it doesn't matter whether or not you check this box and protect the worksheet. Excel won't allow you to sort anyway. The only "remedy" - if indeed that is the correct word - is to unprotect the cells that you want to sort - which of course only is possible if you unprotect the work sheet .

So bottom line: Is there a way to sort protected cells in a protected work sheet? If not, what was the point in including the check box to allow users to sort?

This observation relates to Excel 2003.

Bengt

 

[Jon von der Heyden]

Hello Bengt

The data range you wish to sort must be unlocked. Select the range, go to Format Cells (Ctrl+1), on the Protection tab uncheck Locked.

If you need them locked then you need to unprotect the sheet first.

 

[Bengt]

Hello Bengt

The data range you wish to sort must be unlocked. Select the range, go to Format Cells (Ctrl+1), on the Protection tab uncheck Locked.

If you need them locked then you need to unprotect the sheet first.

Thank you, I suspected that much. But what still puzzles me is what the checkbox "Allow users to sort data" is there for. Do you know?

Bengt

 

[Jon von der Heyden]

Sort is completely disallowed if you protect your sheet, regardless of whether or not ranges are unlocked. Sort is only available on unlocked ranges if the sort check box is ticked.

 

[bbbuffalo]

So is there any way to lock the cells but allow them to be sorted?

I agree with Bengt's question. What is the purpose of having the checkboxes to
"Allow all users of this worksheet to:" (sort for example) if they don't actually allow users to sort?