I created an Excel 2003 form for users to create a simple database of work
orders. I wanted the form to automatically date and timestamp the submission
of the work order as well as assign a unique request number (I just used the
serial version of the date for that) to the form. So I automatically
populated these fields when the form was opened and then locked the cells so
the user couldn't change the information. The code is as follows:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Range("C3:D3").Select 'Data entry field is two merged cells
Application.SendKeys "^; ^+;", True 'Automatically populate with static
Range("C4:D4").Select ' current date and time
Application.SendKeys "^; ^+;", True 'Send Cntl+; (space) Cntl+Shift+;
Range("C3:D4").Select ' to enter static date and time
Selection.Locked = True 'Lock fields so automatically
populated
Selection.FormulaHidden = False ' data can't be changed by user
ActiveSheet.Protect DrawingObjects:=True, _
Contents:=True, Scenarios:=True 'Protect the worksheet so user can
only
Range("C5:D5").Select ' enter data in unlocked cells
End Sub

What happens when this is executed is inconsistent. Sometimes I get no data
put in the cells and other times the data for both calls to SendKeys ends up
crammed in cell C5:D5, the unlocked, unprotected cell!!!

Any advice on what I'm doing wrong or another way to do what I've described
(in Excel) would be greatly appreciated.