hi
you are not going to be able to do what you want persuing your current path.
and for reasons you have already discovered. Formulas return values from
other cells based on what is there or not there. formulas will not propt you
for input. you can use a cell off the the side for user input(above, below,
left, right) if primary conditions are not ment.
otherwise you may be looking at using vb code with the input box function.

regards
FSt1


"ranvin56" wrote:

I'm trying to use a "If" statement in a cell. I to try and fill the cell with
a response if a certain critria is met. However, if the critia is not met I
would like to have the person input thier own data. However if they do input
their own data I would like to keep the formula intact for that cell.
When I put the "If" formula in the cell and test it by causing the situation
where I would have to input my own data once I input my data in that cell it
erases the formula.
Can anyone suggest a solution to this problem?