is it possible to "lock" a spreadsheet for any entries before the value of a
specific cell is changed. i.e. i want to force users to enter a date before
they can do anything else, and if possible, maybe display a reminder to fill
in the date first

It can be done using VBA in a Worksheet.Change event; the difficulty
depends on whether or not the specific cell value is changing from
zero or blank to a non-zero, non-blank value. If the value of the cell
in question starts out as non-blank / non-zero, then you'll need to
compare the value of the cell when the file is opened to the current
value of the cell.

Dave O
Eschew obfuscation

dave,
thanks for your reply. it's a template i use, so i can basically do either
of the 2 - leave it blank so as soon as other users enter a date in there, it
allows them to enter values in other cells or i can by default put a value,
say 1, in there.

"Dave O" wrote:

It can be done using VBA in a Worksheet.Change event; the difficulty
depends on whether or not the specific cell value is changing from
zero or blank to a non-zero, non-blank value. If the value of the cell
in question starts out as non-blank / non-zero, then you'll need to
compare the value of the cell when the file is opened to the current
value of the cell.

Dave O
Eschew obfuscation