Cell format dialog box will not open

[ms.giz]

I'm working in 2003...
I've created a 'new' spreadsheet from an old one using "save as".
I've added 20 rows into a group of worksheets 1,2,3,4, let's say rows 15-35.
In these new rows I am unable to add borders using the icon in the format
toolbar, nor am I able to bring up the cell formating dialog box via
Format-Cell or Ctrl+1. As well, some of the old cells (from previously
existing rows) lost their formating at some point, and will also not bring
down the dialog box.
I am able to Copy-Paste Special-Formats from one of the cells I AM ABLE to
format into these weird cells, but this isn't feasible for the long term.
Another woman in my division has also had this problem recently.
I've checked everywhere I can think (Options, Protection, etc.) and have
done searches in the Discussions Groups until my head spins, without finding
someone with a similar problem, so hope someone there has heard of this.
Best regards (and thanks!)

 

[John Bundy]

Any protection turned on? often if it is you can still paste over stuff but
not make other changes. If not, is it shared? If not, I really don't know.