Use an "overruler cell". Change your reference to a formula:

=IF(OverRulerCell="",OriginalReference,OverRulerCe ll)

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Kind regards,

Niek Otten
Microsoft MVP - Excel


"Dave" wrote in message
...
hi,

I am on Excel 2003, I have spreadsheet with a range of cell that
contain cell refrences to other cell in the same spreadsheet. Once I
protect this sheet then these cell are locked out for editing by the
user. Here is the problem sometimes the user has to be able to
overwrite this value and enter a new one in its place. What can I do
in this situation.

thanks in advance

Dave