Help with Microsoft Excel Needed

[k0xxx]

A question for all of you computer gurus out there.

First, let me say that I am a complete newbie to using Excel with formulas.

I have set up a spreadsheet, using Excel 2000, with formulas for tracking the value of my gold and silver "savings plan". Now I would like to make it where only certain fields (such as the current spot price for gold and silver, and the amount of each) can be changed, but not the formulas or the information is certain cells.

Is there a way to do this?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chipmunk]

Your spreadsheet is made up of all those rectangles, or "cells". Each has a name (is described) by the column it is in and the row it is in (e.g. A1, A2, B1, B2, etc.. You can put data, a formula to calculate, letters (like a title or something, also known as alphanumeric data), or, I think a reference to information contained somewhere else like a website or something (I'm just guessing here, I haven't done much with spreadsheets for a while).

What you're going to do is put the data that you want to change in certain cells, usually an one area of the spreadsheet that you can reference as a range (I think you do this either this way: (A1...B13) or like this: (A1,B13), meaning use cells from A1 to B13). Or, of course, you can just work on or change one cell, using its address (e.g. B13).

You are going to then put your formula in another cell. It will operate on whatever cell(s) to tell it to. It may look like this: SUM (A1,B13). This example will add up the numbers you have in A1 through B13, and put the result in the cell where you have the formula. You can find the different formulas and functions your spreadsheet has, and the format you have to use, under the HELP button on the spreadsheet.

One of the things that can mess you up some is whether or not the cells you're doing calculations on are defined as numeric, not alphanumeric, so be careful with that (the voice of experience, here ). I always check out my spreadsheet by testing with numbers I've calculated out by hand, just to make sure I haven't done something weird somewhere.

Good luck!

 

[k0xxx]

Edited to say.... I Figured It Out! What I wasn't doing was formatting the input cells to remove the "lock" before I protected the sheet. I can now change the input cells and all of the other cells are protected. Thanks!

If anyone would like a copy of a simple spreadsheet to track what their gold or silver coins and jewelry is worth, e-mail me and I will send it to you. It ain't pretty, but it works.

 

[Nifty]

I haven't done it in forever, but I think you:

select the cells
right click for menu
format cells
protection tab

If I remember correctly you have to lock the entire sheet and "unlock" the editable cells.

 

[k0xxx]

Thanks Nifty! I had just finished playing with it and got it working. I was mis-reading the help files and it had been driving me crazy (and I'm well within walking distance!).