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Easily Entering Dispersed Data

Summary: Do you need to enter data in a bunch of widely dispersed cells in a worksheet? You can make the job easier by using Excel's protection capabilities, as described in this tip. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

I needed to enter information into many rows of widely dispersed columns, like A, Q, BD, BJ, CF, etc. (I'm sure you get the idea.) I was right-arrowing along and I was thinking: if I were in Word I'd just set some tabs or bookmarks to move around quickly. What is the equivalent in Excel? A little delving into the Help files let me know that it's done like this:

  1. Decide which columns (or rows, or cells) in which you want to enter data.
  2. Highlight the column (or rows or cells).
  3. Choose Cells from the Format menu. Excel displays the Format Cells dialog box. (To display the Format Cells dialog box in Excel 2007, display the Home tab of the ruler, click Format in the Cells group, and then choose Format Cells.)
  4. Make sure the Protection tab is displayed. (Click here to see a related figure.)
  5. Clear the Locked checkbox.
  6. Click on OK to close the dialog box.
  7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 for each column (or row or cell) in which you need to enter data.
  8. Choose Protection from the Tools menu, and then choose Protect Sheet from the submenu. Excel displays the Protect Sheet dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.) (To display the Protect Sheet dialog box in Excel 2007, display the Home tab of the ruler, click Format in the Cells group, and then choose Protect Sheet.)
  9. You do not need to change any information in the dialog box, nor enter a password. Just click on OK.

That's it! Excel will only let you go to cells that are still editable, and those are the ones for which you cleared the Lock property before you protected the sheet. Enjoy tabbing to the places on your worksheet that you need to.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3027) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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