i have seen formatting that looks like a lightswitch cover in a house: a
plastic plate w/ rectangular holes where the lightswitches come out. on a
spreadsheet, this is used to make it obvious where you are to input data
(the rectangular holes, or cells) and obvious where you are NOT supposed to
input data (the plastic plate, or protected unwritable cells).

say i want to only allow inputs in cells a4, a5, d4, and d5 and not allow
inputs in any other cell on the sheet. i know i can protect all but these
4, then shade w/ colors, bold, etc. but it doesn't look as good/professional
as this "plate" effect. any thoughts? thanks, mike allen