It sounds like you are describing userform with textboxes - If you know what
a userform its, then maybe not, but that is what it sounds like.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy

mike allen wrote in message
...
i have seen formatting that looks like a lightswitch cover in a house: a
plastic plate w/ rectangular holes where the lightswitches come out. on a
spreadsheet, this is used to make it obvious where you are to input data
(the rectangular holes, or cells) and obvious where you are NOT supposed
to
input data (the plastic plate, or protected unwritable cells).

say i want to only allow inputs in cells a4, a5, d4, and d5 and not allow
inputs in any other cell on the sheet. i know i can protect all but these
4, then shade w/ colors, bold, etc. but it doesn't look as
good/professional
as this "plate" effect. any thoughts? thanks, mike allen