I'd create a template, and protect it so that the users can only do certain
things -- enter data, but not add rows, change formats, etc.

One thing to remember -- just because one person puts a date in one format
doesn't mean it won't be compatible with another person's different date
format. That's not how Excel thinks, and it's smart enough to reconcile the
two if it knows both of them are dates and/or times.

"I need help!" wrote:

That gets me closer... What I have is a group of people that have the exact
same workbook (I think it's called a workbook - a file w/ several
spreadsheets) and they each enter data specific to their region. It's a
simple spreadsheet; there are no advanced formulas or anything like that.
They forward their completed workbooks to me and I cut/paste them into one
master. But, I find that each of them enter the date in a different format,
add columns/rows, expand row height, etc... so when I cut/paste them it's all
different and I spend tons of time reformating it to look similar each time I
work on it.

If I create a master workbook can I merge all of their data into one
workbook? Can i do it and still maintain the format I want? How?

"pdberger" wrote:

Good afternoon --

All this depends on what you mean by "merging" the data. Adding?
Averaging? Listing each person's output separately?

More specific answers -- Yes, you can set up and save a template. Simply
set up the workbook the way you want, and save it as a template rather than
file. Make sure you save it somewhere the users can get at it. When they
start new workbooks, they FileNew then choose 'from template' and find the
template. They can rename the new file per some instructions you give them.

As far as merging, you can set up a master workbook so that you can take
each of their (similar) sheets and put in the master workbook. Then, on the
the summary page, you can set up your formulas to be =SUM('ADAM:ZELIG'!$B$2),
or average, or whatever.

If you're trying to list each person's data separately on a summary page,
it's a bit more work, but the same idea. One cell might be ='Adam'!$B$2, and
the next one might be ='Barb'!$B$2.

HTH

"I need help!" wrote:

I'm somewhat of a newbie and need help!!

I need to cut and paste info from various spreadsheets into one. Each user
formats their cells a bit different and the final version requires
significant time to reformat each week.

Is there a way I can cut and paste into my master w/o losing my formulas and
formatting?

Is there a way I can provide them a template sheet w/ locked formats so they
cannot edit or reformat?

Is there an easy way to merge this data into one spreadsheet vs. cut, paste,
reformat...

I would SO appreciate the help!!