I created a worksheet in Excel 2003 where with protection I can force editing
in only one cell. The cursor only rests in that cell, so that when typing
you don't have to first move the cursor to that cell. In an older version of
Excel, I can't do that. I can have it tell me my entry is invalid for the
cell my cursor is in. Is there a way in earlier versions to force the cursor
to only rest on a specific cell? Validation, drop-down box type things? I
can't think of the word.
Thanks, Bob

Lock all the cells on the worksheet except the cell to edit--keep that unlocked.

(Format|Cells|Protection tab is where you do that work)

Then add a macro that protects the worksheet (nicely) when the workbook opens:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
With Worksheets("Sheet99999")
.Unprotect Password:="hi"
.EnableSelection = xlUnlockedCells
.Protect Password:="hi", DrawingObjects:=True, _
Contents:=True, Scenarios:=True
End With
End Sub

In fact, in xl2k and below, this setting wasn't remembered when you closed the
workbook and reopened. Setting it in code was the only way to do this.

Bob wrote:

I created a worksheet in Excel 2003 where with protection I can force editing
in only one cell. The cursor only rests in that cell, so that when typing
you don't have to first move the cursor to that cell. In an older version of
Excel, I can't do that. I can have it tell me my entry is invalid for the
cell my cursor is in. Is there a way in earlier versions to force the cursor
to only rest on a specific cell? Validation, drop-down box type things? I
can't think of the word.
Thanks, Bob

--

Dave Peterson