How to protect so SOME columns stay hidden?

[Guest]

Hi,

I'm looking to set up protection on a worksheet so that the hidden columns
STAY hidden (& can't be opened by a 2nd user without the proper password) but
preferably so that that user would still be able to format columns in general
(i.e. border, alignment, fills, etc). The only way that I've been able to
keep people from accessing those hidden columns is to block their ability to
format ALL columns.

Ideally, I'd also like to have some of those columns be truly hidden &
inaccessible (effectively missing) to everyone but me, while other columns
will be hidden as usual but still accessible to some or all users (via
'Unhide' or a password). Basically I'd like to keep the order and number of
columns the same between the protected worksheet and an identical unprotected
one that I'd keep on my computer (meaning I can easily copy/paste between
them)... but I'd also like to stop other users from seeing my messy
spreadsheet and all the columns/info they don't need to deal with.
And again, if I could tidy up the visible spreadsheet even more by hiding
some of the less vital columns (while totally protecting/blocking others) and
still allowing users to format as they choose, then that would be fantastic.

Does anyone have any ideas for how I can go about this?? Nothing I try seems
to work - it just freezes access to data &/or worksheet tools.

Thanks!!

 

[Harald Staff]

Hi

You can't do that. Try this in a fresh workbook:

A1: Hi
B1: silly
C1: man !

Hide column B so it looks like Hi man ! Select range A1:C1. Copy. Paste in a
brand new sheet.

Keep confidential information out of the file, it is not inaccessible
anywhere inside.

HTH. best wishes Harald

 

[Don Guillett]

You might also put them somewhere out of the usedarea and re-set the scroll
area with workbook_open.