I'm a math teacher and want to create a spreadsheet that functions as a test
I can grade automatically. My classes of 25 students per class can all bring
laptops into the classroom. I want them to open a spreadsheet I'll create,
where they WILL NOT have any access to any Excel functions. On the
spreadsheet there will be several hundred math problems involving fractions,
percents, decimals, etc. I want them to do the actual math work on scratch
paper, and just key in their answers in select spaces alongside each math
problem on the spreadsheet.

So my goal is to have some kind of password protection where ALL Excel
functions are shut off, so that they cannot use Excel to do the math work.
Then, I will unprotect the documents and grade them automatically, writing
back onto each student's version of the spreadsheet a check symbol or an X
mark next to each problem, until they re-do all wrong ones.

I tried Calculation Options (Office 2007) but couldn't get anywhere with it.

Thanks in advance.

Hi - you can protect the sheet, and only allow access to unlocked cells which
would be your select spaces. All the formulae etc would still work and
calculate


Peter wrote:
I'm a math teacher and want to create a spreadsheet that functions as a test
I can grade automatically. My classes of 25 students per class can all bring
laptops into the classroom. I want them to open a spreadsheet I'll create,
where they WILL NOT have any access to any Excel functions. On the
spreadsheet there will be several hundred math problems involving fractions,
percents, decimals, etc. I want them to do the actual math work on scratch
paper, and just key in their answers in select spaces alongside each math
problem on the spreadsheet.

So my goal is to have some kind of password protection where ALL Excel
functions are shut off, so that they cannot use Excel to do the math work.
Then, I will unprotect the documents and grade them automatically, writing
back onto each student's version of the spreadsheet a check symbol or an X
mark next to each problem, until they re-do all wrong ones.

I tried Calculation Options (Office 2007) but couldn't get anywhere with it.

Thanks in advance.

--
Matt Lynn

Message posted via http://www.officekb.com

1) Select all the cells that you will allow them to use.
2) Press CTRL-1 to open the Format Cells window
3) Select the NUMBER tab and select the TEXT Category
4) Select the PROTECTION tab and uncheck the LOCKED option
5) Now go to TOOLS PROTECTION PROTECT SHEET
6) Enter a password and make sure they can SELECT UNLOCKED CELLS, but also
make sure they CANNOT format cells or columns/rows.

Now with your sheet locked, anything typed into the unlocked cells is
treated as text, so any functions they TRY like =5*3 will not do the math,
the cell will display what they type only.

Does that help?

--
"Actually, I *am* a rocket scientist." -- JB

Your feedback is appreciated, click YES if this post helped you.


"Peter" wrote:

I'm a math teacher and want to create a spreadsheet that functions as a test
I can grade automatically. My classes of 25 students per class can all bring
laptops into the classroom. I want them to open a spreadsheet I'll create,
where they WILL NOT have any access to any Excel functions. On the
spreadsheet there will be several hundred math problems involving fractions,
percents, decimals, etc. I want them to do the actual math work on scratch
paper, and just key in their answers in select spaces alongside each math
problem on the spreadsheet.

So my goal is to have some kind of password protection where ALL Excel
functions are shut off, so that they cannot use Excel to do the math work.
Then, I will unprotect the documents and grade them automatically, writing
back onto each student's version of the spreadsheet a check symbol or an X
mark next to each problem, until they re-do all wrong ones.

I tried Calculation Options (Office 2007) but couldn't get anywhere with it.

Thanks in advance.