locking cells & absolute refs
locking cells & absolute refs
(OP)
1.Can I lock a cell or row (not columns) in Excel 97 so that a formulae is not accidently overwritten. If you lock the sheet you cannot change anything.
2. Is there a key that can be pressed while selecting a cell to use in a formulae that would make it absolute. It seems tedious to keep inputting $ signs?
Thanks in advance
2. Is there a key that can be pressed while selecting a cell to use in a formulae that would make it absolute. It seems tedious to keep inputting $ signs?
Thanks in advance





RE: locking cells & absolute refs
2) use the F4 key to toggle between reference types ($A$1, $A1, A$1, A1)
RE: locking cells & absolute refs
When you start excel, all cells are locked, but not protected. To lock cells, you must enable "protect sheet" (under tools -> protection -> protect sheet). You can either enter a password or leave it blank.
To lock or unlock specific cells, click on the cell(s), row, or column you want to lock/unlock, then click on (Format -> Cells) to bring up the "Format cells" window. Next Click on the "Protection" tab. There will be two check boxes (locked and hidden). to lock or unlock cells, just check or uncheck the "locked" check box.
Remember, for cells to actually be locked, you must protect your sheet (as stated above).
For switching references, ivymike is correct with the F4 key, but you must highlight the cell(s) you want to make absolute in the formula bar.
Hope this helps!
jproj
RE: locking cells & absolute refs
RE: locking cells & absolute refs
Thanks for the tip!
jproj