What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
Specific context:
I have a 2002 file that doesn't allow users to access protected cells.
This is essential for the file to work as designed.
When I open it in a 1997 version almost everything seems to work correctly,
except
that the users can access protected cells. Which f's everything up
completely!
I'd rather they weren't able to open it in 1997 version.
Also when I save it it in 1997 it sometimes turns off the conditional
formatting
which is only 90% as bad as the above problem.
Thanks for any help.
--
Pete

The file format is the same, but 2002 has more protection options. You
have probably not protected enough things for 97 to recognize that the
sheet is protected.

Jerry

Pdek wrote:

What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
Specific context:
I have a 2002 file that doesn't allow users to access protected cells.
This is essential for the file to work as designed.
When I open it in a 1997 version almost everything seems to work correctly,
except
that the users can access protected cells. Which f's everything up
completely!
I'd rather they weren't able to open it in 1997 version.
Also when I save it it in 1997 it sometimes turns off the conditional
formatting
which is only 90% as bad as the above problem.
Thanks for any help.

I'll go back in and try to protect everything,
but do you have any key things that have to be protected in order to make sure
a 97 user can't select (put his cursor on) a protected cell?
Thanks.
--
Pete


"Jerry W. Lewis" wrote:

The file format is the same, but 2002 has more protection options. You
have probably not protected enough things for 97 to recognize that the
sheet is protected.

Jerry

Pdek wrote:

What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
Specific context:
I have a 2002 file that doesn't allow users to access protected cells.
This is essential for the file to work as designed.
When I open it in a 1997 version almost everything seems to work correctly,
except
that the users can access protected cells. Which f's everything up
completely!
I'd rather they weren't able to open it in 1997 version.
Also when I save it it in 1997 it sometimes turns off the conditional
formatting
which is only 90% as bad as the above problem.
Thanks for any help.

There wasn't a whole lot left to protect
The protect/shhet box asked for things that I wanted to allow the user to do.
The key thing is that I want the user to be able to enter data into 6 and
only 6 cells.
So I had "select unprotected cells" checked.
Also sometimes the answers come out too large, so I had "format columns" and
"format cells" checked as unprotected.
I've just unchecked the "format cells"
so all that's left unprotected is "select unprotected cells" and "format
columns"
I'll see if that works upstairs now, but it will be a pain (for large
numbers) if I have to uncheck "format columns"
Thanks
--
Pete


"Jerry W. Lewis" wrote:

The file format is the same, but 2002 has more protection options. You
have probably not protected enough things for 97 to recognize that the
sheet is protected.

Jerry

Pdek wrote:

What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
Specific context:
I have a 2002 file that doesn't allow users to access protected cells.
This is essential for the file to work as designed.
When I open it in a 1997 version almost everything seems to work correctly,
except
that the users can access protected cells. Which f's everything up
completely!
I'd rather they weren't able to open it in 1997 version.
Also when I save it it in 1997 it sometimes turns off the conditional
formatting
which is only 90% as bad as the above problem.
Thanks for any help.

You could manually select the cells you want the users to be able to use,
then do formatcellsprotection and uncheck locked, then protect the sheet,
now the cells you unlocked will be open, you can also use an event macro to
control the input.
Normally if you design a workbook for 97-2003 it's better to design it in
Excel 97, everything that is available in 97 is available in later version
(except the help which was far better in 97). That way you won't get surpised
with things that were added in later versions


Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

"Pdek" wrote:

There wasn't a whole lot left to protect
The protect/shhet box asked for things that I wanted to allow the user to do.
The key thing is that I want the user to be able to enter data into 6 and
only 6 cells.
So I had "select unprotected cells" checked.
Also sometimes the answers come out too large, so I had "format columns" and
"format cells" checked as unprotected.
I've just unchecked the "format cells"
so all that's left unprotected is "select unprotected cells" and "format
columns"
I'll see if that works upstairs now, but it will be a pain (for large
numbers) if I have to uncheck "format columns"
Thanks
--
Pete


"Jerry W. Lewis" wrote:

The file format is the same, but 2002 has more protection options. You
have probably not protected enough things for 97 to recognize that the
sheet is protected.

Jerry

Pdek wrote:

What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
Specific context:
I have a 2002 file that doesn't allow users to access protected cells.
This is essential for the file to work as designed.
When I open it in a 1997 version almost everything seems to work correctly,
except
that the users can access protected cells. Which f's everything up
completely!
I'd rather they weren't able to open it in 1997 version.
Also when I save it it in 1997 it sometimes turns off the conditional
formatting
which is only 90% as bad as the above problem.
Thanks for any help.

"Peo Sjoblom" wrote:

You could manually select the cells you want the users to be able to use,
then do formatcellsprotection and uncheck locked, then protect the sheet,
now the cells you unlocked will be open,

That's what I did from the beginning, but 97 users are able to select the
protected cells.
I guess I'll see if 97 allows me to stop people from selecting the protected
cells
and I guess turn off the ability to format columns.
AS far as "event macros" go - I'm a virgin, but it sounds as if it would lead
the user by the hand too much. I've got 6 cells and there's 10 things that
the user can do just by entering a few numbers (or changing a few numbers) so
it's
very easy to do (provided they are limited to just changing 6 numbers), but
much
longer to program - and impossible if they go wandering around the
spreadsheet.

By the way, what percentage of American users use the 97 version.
Maybe I should just say "fogetabodit." (sp?)

Pete

you can also use an event macro to
control the input.
Normally if you design a workbook for 97-2003 it's better to design it in
Excel 97, everything that is available in 97 is available in later version
(except the help which was far better in 97). That way you won't get surpised
with things that were added in later versions


Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

"Pdek" wrote:

There wasn't a whole lot left to protect
The protect/shhet box asked for things that I wanted to allow the user to do.
The key thing is that I want the user to be able to enter data into 6 and
only 6 cells.
So I had "select unprotected cells" checked.
Also sometimes the answers come out too large, so I had "format columns" and
"format cells" checked as unprotected.
I've just unchecked the "format cells"
so all that's left unprotected is "select unprotected cells" and "format
columns"
I'll see if that works upstairs now, but it will be a pain (for large
numbers) if I have to uncheck "format columns"
Thanks
--
Pete


"Jerry W. Lewis" wrote:

The file format is the same, but 2002 has more protection options. You
have probably not protected enough things for 97 to recognize that the
sheet is protected.

Jerry

Pdek wrote:

What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
Specific context:
I have a 2002 file that doesn't allow users to access protected cells.
This is essential for the file to work as designed.
When I open it in a 1997 version almost everything seems to work correctly,
except
that the users can access protected cells. Which f's everything up
completely!
I'd rather they weren't able to open it in 1997 version.
Also when I save it it in 1997 it sometimes turns off the conditional
formatting
which is only 90% as bad as the above problem.
Thanks for any help.

If you protect the sheet in code, it'll work for xl97+ (as long as the macro
runs):

Option Explicit
Sub auto_open()
With Worksheets("sheet1")
.Protect Password:="hi"
.EnableSelection = xlUnlockedCells
End With
End Sub

Excel won't remember these settings after you close it and reopen the workbook
(that's why it's in auto_open).

If you're new to macros, you may want to read David McRitchie's intro at:
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm


Pdek wrote:

"Peo Sjoblom" wrote:

You could manually select the cells you want the users to be able to use,
then do formatcellsprotection and uncheck locked, then protect the sheet,
now the cells you unlocked will be open,

That's what I did from the beginning, but 97 users are able to select the
protected cells.
I guess I'll see if 97 allows me to stop people from selecting the protected
cells
and I guess turn off the ability to format columns.
AS far as "event macros" go - I'm a virgin, but it sounds as if it would lead
the user by the hand too much. I've got 6 cells and there's 10 things that
the user can do just by entering a few numbers (or changing a few numbers) so
it's
very easy to do (provided they are limited to just changing 6 numbers), but
much
longer to program - and impossible if they go wandering around the
spreadsheet.

By the way, what percentage of American users use the 97 version.
Maybe I should just say "fogetabodit." (sp?)

Pete

you can also use an event macro to
control the input.
Normally if you design a workbook for 97-2003 it's better to design it in
Excel 97, everything that is available in 97 is available in later version
(except the help which was far better in 97). That way you won't get surpised
with things that were added in later versions


Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

"Pdek" wrote:

There wasn't a whole lot left to protect
The protect/shhet box asked for things that I wanted to allow the user to do.
The key thing is that I want the user to be able to enter data into 6 and
only 6 cells.
So I had "select unprotected cells" checked.
Also sometimes the answers come out too large, so I had "format columns" and
"format cells" checked as unprotected.
I've just unchecked the "format cells"
so all that's left unprotected is "select unprotected cells" and "format
columns"
I'll see if that works upstairs now, but it will be a pain (for large
numbers) if I have to uncheck "format columns"
Thanks
--
Pete


"Jerry W. Lewis" wrote:

The file format is the same, but 2002 has more protection options. You
have probably not protected enough things for 97 to recognize that the
sheet is protected.

Jerry

Pdek wrote:

What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
Specific context:
I have a 2002 file that doesn't allow users to access protected cells.
This is essential for the file to work as designed.
When I open it in a 1997 version almost everything seems to work correctly,
except
that the users can access protected cells. Which f's everything up
completely!
I'd rather they weren't able to open it in 1997 version.
Also when I save it it in 1997 it sometimes turns off the conditional
formatting
which is only 90% as bad as the above problem.
Thanks for any help.



--

Dave Peterson

unchecking "format columns" doesn't help either.
And 97 doesn't seem to allow me to prevent users from selecting
protected cells (not that I can see anyway). They can't change anything in
these cells, but they can still go wandering around the spreadsheet, rather
than concentrating on the 6 important cells

Still interested in whether any significant number of US users use 97, or is
it just here in Hungary?
--
Pete


"Peo Sjoblom" wrote:

You could manually select the cells you want the users to be able to use,
then do formatcellsprotection and uncheck locked, then protect the sheet,
now the cells you unlocked will be open, you can also use an event macro to
control the input.
Normally if you design a workbook for 97-2003 it's better to design it in
Excel 97, everything that is available in 97 is available in later version
(except the help which was far better in 97). That way you won't get surpised
with things that were added in later versions


Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

"Pdek" wrote:

There wasn't a whole lot left to protect
The protect/shhet box asked for things that I wanted to allow the user to do.
The key thing is that I want the user to be able to enter data into 6 and
only 6 cells.
So I had "select unprotected cells" checked.
Also sometimes the answers come out too large, so I had "format columns" and
"format cells" checked as unprotected.
I've just unchecked the "format cells"
so all that's left unprotected is "select unprotected cells" and "format
columns"
I'll see if that works upstairs now, but it will be a pain (for large
numbers) if I have to uncheck "format columns"
Thanks
--
Pete


"Jerry W. Lewis" wrote:

The file format is the same, but 2002 has more protection options. You
have probably not protected enough things for 97 to recognize that the
sheet is protected.

Jerry

Pdek wrote:

What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
Specific context:
I have a 2002 file that doesn't allow users to access protected cells.
This is essential for the file to work as designed.
When I open it in a 1997 version almost everything seems to work correctly,
except
that the users can access protected cells. Which f's everything up
completely!
I'd rather they weren't able to open it in 1997 version.
Also when I save it it in 1997 it sometimes turns off the conditional
formatting
which is only 90% as bad as the above problem.
Thanks for any help.

97 does not have this level of protection.

Users can select protected cells but not enter anything into them

VBA would be required to stop users from selecting protected cells in 97.


Gord Dibben Excel MVP

On Mon, 9 May 2005 13:00:04 -0700, "Pdek" wrote:

That's what I did from the beginning, but 97 users are able to select the
protected cells.
I guess I'll see if 97 allows me to stop people from selecting the protected
cells

"Gord Dibben" <gorddibbATshawDOTca skrev i melding
...
VBA would be required to stop users from selecting protected cells in 97.

Hi Pete

VBA would also be required to keep Excel97 users from operating the file.
Which is a pretty simple operation, once you ensured that macros are enabled
and running, that is.

But I can't for the life of me see how selecting a protected cell can "f up
completely", or even "slightly disturb", an application. Rethink your design
and/or your priorities. My 0.02 only.

Best wishes Harald

"Pdek" wrote...
What's the difference between Excel 1997 and Excel 2002 (in brief).
Is there a way to save a 2002 version file so it won't open in 1997 version
program?
....

Excel 97 can open workbooks created by newer versions. You could use macros
to check Excel version and close the workbook under Excel 97, but users can
disable macros.

Always best to design and implement for the *OLDEST* version of software in
use, meaning you should have developed using Excel 97. If your workbook
works in Excel 97, it's a near certainty it'll work in newer versions.

As for large numbers, always design for boundary conditions. Even if most of
your fields only need to show 5 or fewer digits, if some need 8 or 9, then
your column widths need to accommodate 9.

As for selecting protected cells, do you mean you have worksheets that look
like forms/dialogs, and selecting protected cells destroys the illusion?
Again, you could use macros, specifically SheetSelectionChange, to return to
the first unprotected cell if the user selects a protected cell.