A common task done in macros is to lock and unlock different cells and objects in a workbook. This is often done for protection reasons, so that things cannot be modified inadvertently by users. If you need to unlock the charts that are in your workbook, you can easily do so if you remember that even though charts can be considered drawing objects, you don't unlock them as drawing objects--you specifically unlock the chart object.
In addition, how you unlock a chart depends on whether it is a Chart sheet or a Chart object on a regular worksheet. The following code, named ChartUnProtect, provides an example of how to successfully unprotect both types of charts.
Sub ChartUnProtect()
Dim wks As Worksheet
Dim cht As Chart
Dim chtObj As ChartObject
Dim PW As String
PW = "mypass"
'Unprotect all Chart sheets
For Each cht In ActiveWorkbook.Charts
Sheets(cht.Name).Unprotect password:=PW
Next
'Unlock all Chart objects on each worksheet
For Each wks In ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets
wks.Unprotect password:=PW
For Each chtObj In wks.ChartObjects
wks.DrawingObjects(chtObj.Name).Locked = False
Next
wks.Protect password:=PW
Next
End Sub
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2264) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
One way you can make your charts look more understandable is by removing the "jaggies" that are inherent to line charts. This ...
Discover MoreChange the data on which a chart is based and Excel obligingly updates the chart to reflect the change. What if you want to ...
Discover MoreFiguring out how to get the data points in an X-Y scatter plot labeled can be confusing; Excel certainly doesn't make it ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2017 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments