If all of your background data is in a seperate worksheet and you are using
data validation / named range formulae for your 'drop down lists' then you
can hide the sheet containing the data. Format - sheet - hide. Then to stop
someone revealing the hidden sheet (format - Sheet - Unhide) you should
protect the workbook with a password. 'Tools - Protection - Protect workbook'

If the data is in the same work sheet then you will have to format cells,
protection, and tick the box to unlock any cells that you want the user to
edit, and lock any cell you do not want them to have access to. (Lock is the
default value so you only need to 'unlock' cells)
Then hide the rows or columns that contain the 'sensitive' data, (select a
Row or Column, right click then 'Hide') then Tools - protection - protect
sheet - then tick the boxes to allow users to 'select unlocked cells' only.
Set the password and then you will have a work sheet where sensitive data is
in concealed cells, the sheet is password protected and, users can only edit
the cells that you have unlocked.

"frances" wrote:

I have written a questionnaire with all sorts of background formulae I
don't want breaking! does anyone know how to lock the workbook, but
allow responders to use drop-boxes and check boxes?