Cell protection issues
 

I am building a log sheet for a software Quality Assurance Dept. There can
be multiple iterations of testing for a module. Each itteration is a
seperate section of the log sheet.

As an issue is discovered, it is logged in the sheet. I am trying to
automatically number each issue as it is entered in the log. The numbering
for iteration 2 is a continuation from issue 1, etc. I also want to protect
the cells with the auto-numbering. (=IF(ISTEXT(F28),MAX(A$17:A27)+1,"") COL
F is the text description of the issue, ROW17 is the first issue for the
first itteration . A17 is the first number. This was the formula for A28.)
If this can be improved, I'm all ears.

My problem is if I need to add rows to one of the iterations, I cannot
number them because of the cell protection. Is there a way that the formula
can be copied into a protected cell when the new row is added? Or how can I
format the protection to allow the formula to be entered without unprotecting
the worksheet?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Stuart