I am creating a Sudoku puzzle for the elementary school I work for. I am
wanting only the cells that I am using to appear on the screen. Basically, I
don't want the kids to see all the "extra" columns and rows that are not
being used. I have seen this done on some fun emails that I have received in
the past, but not sure how to do it myself. I don't want to just darken the
extra cells so that they can't be seen because that would take too long (I
have 100 worksheets). Is there any way to limit the viewing to just certain
cells?

You can select those columns (or rows), then Format|column (or Row)|Hide

You may want to unlock the cells that the kids can write in (select the
cells|format|cells|protection tab|uncheck locked)

Then protect the worksheet
tools|protection|protect sheet.

Depending on how precocious these kids are, it may work--worksheet protection
isn't too difficult to break.

Rebecca Fitzgerald wrote:

I am creating a Sudoku puzzle for the elementary school I work for. I am
wanting only the cells that I am using to appear on the screen. Basically, I
don't want the kids to see all the "extra" columns and rows that are not
being used. I have seen this done on some fun emails that I have received in
the past, but not sure how to do it myself. I don't want to just darken the
extra cells so that they can't be seen because that would take too long (I
have 100 worksheets). Is there any way to limit the viewing to just certain
cells?

--

Dave Peterson

Hi: Use Conditional Formatting to either format Fonts to white, or
Patterns to Black in one cell you want to hide. If you're in cell B-1
put the Conditional Formatting formula =isblank(T-1). Then use the
Format brush to "swipe" all the cells you want hidden. Then set
Formatting to Locked and Hidden except for the cells allowing input,
and Protect the spreadsheet with a password.

When you want to see your hidden cells un-protect the worksheet and
type any number or text in cell T-1. To return to user conditions,
CLear Contents of T-1 and Protect the worksheet with your formula.
ed.

I know how to protect the worksheet and all that....and hiding would be ok if
I didn't have to hide a million endless pages

I can't hide enough columns or rows so that all the kids see are the cells
containing the puzzle.

"Dave Peterson" wrote:

You can select those columns (or rows), then Format|column (or Row)|Hide

You may want to unlock the cells that the kids can write in (select the
cells|format|cells|protection tab|uncheck locked)

Then protect the worksheet
tools|protection|protect sheet.

Depending on how precocious these kids are, it may work--worksheet protection
isn't too difficult to break.

Rebecca Fitzgerald wrote:

I am creating a Sudoku puzzle for the elementary school I work for. I am
wanting only the cells that I am using to appear on the screen. Basically, I
don't want the kids to see all the "extra" columns and rows that are not
being used. I have seen this done on some fun emails that I have received in
the past, but not sure how to do it myself. I don't want to just darken the
extra cells so that they can't be seen because that would take too long (I
have 100 worksheets). Is there any way to limit the viewing to just certain
cells?

--

Dave Peterson

If your puzzle is in A1:Z99 (say).

You can select rows 100:65536 by:
edit|goto|type in
100:65536
in the reference box
and hit enter
format|row|hide

Then
edit|goto|type in
AA:IV
in the reference box
and hit enter
format|column|hide


Rebecca Fitzgerald wrote:

I know how to protect the worksheet and all that....and hiding would be ok if
I didn't have to hide a million endless pages

I can't hide enough columns or rows so that all the kids see are the cells
containing the puzzle.

"Dave Peterson" wrote:

You can select those columns (or rows), then Format|column (or Row)|Hide

You may want to unlock the cells that the kids can write in (select the
cells|format|cells|protection tab|uncheck locked)

Then protect the worksheet
tools|protection|protect sheet.

Depending on how precocious these kids are, it may work--worksheet protection
isn't too difficult to break.

Rebecca Fitzgerald wrote:

I am creating a Sudoku puzzle for the elementary school I work for. I am
wanting only the cells that I am using to appear on the screen. Basically, I
don't want the kids to see all the "extra" columns and rows that are not
being used. I have seen this done on some fun emails that I have received in
the past, but not sure how to do it myself. I don't want to just darken the
extra cells so that they can't be seen because that would take too long (I
have 100 worksheets). Is there any way to limit the viewing to just certain
cells?

--

Dave Peterson


--

Dave Peterson