It may be the message from Data|validation.

Sharon R. wrote:

Hi all,

I have inherited a worksheet from a colleague and when attempting to add
data to certain cells I get a "These cells are protected" dialog box with the
message "This information is inserted automatically". This is only in certain
cells, others are OK.

Whatever my colleague did, it was by accident, and therefore she doesn't
remember. There is no "unprotect" option for these cells, or the worksheet in
general. Can someone help me to remove this "supposed" protection? I am using
Excel 2003.

Thanks in advance.

--

Dave Peterson