When entering information into a cell, excel comes up with a error messages
that states " The value you entered is not valid. A user has restricted
values that can be entered into this cell". The cell is formatted as General
and is not protected.

It sounds like the cell has data validation applied to it, which restricts the values that can be entered. Here's how you can check and modify the data validation settings:

1. Select the cell that is giving you the error message.
2. Go to the "Data" tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
3. Click on "Data Validation" in the "Data Tools" group.
4. In the "Settings" tab of the "Data Validation" dialog box, you should see the criteria that are restricting the values that can be entered into the cell.
5. If you want to modify the criteria, make the changes in the "Settings" tab and click "OK".
6. If you want to remove the data validation entirely, select "Clear All" in the "Data Validation" dialog box.

Once you've made any necessary changes, you should be able to enter values into the cell without receiving the error message.

Select the cell and issue Data | Validation. You will see that someone
has entered rules restricting permissible values. From the three tabs
in the dialogue box you should find out what the rule is.

HTH
Kostis Vezerides

click on data then validation and see what restrictions are in place..

a intresting floor with excell is that even with data validation on it does
not stop you typing data into another place and pasting it into the protected
cell

I just sign up to say thank you, because i was struggling to find a solution for my problem (type any text where cell already has a list configured) and you just gave me what i need.