Is there a way to protect hidden rows and also change fill color?

[Fan924]

I have a sheet protected for contents only. I need this so I can hide
some rows and columns. It is also preventing me from changing fill
color.

Is there a way to protect hidden rows and also change fill color? ...
excel97

 

[John Bundy]

I'm not sure if it works on Excel97 but when you go to protect, there is a
checkbox you can click that still gives them the ability to format cells. If
you need the code for it, just record a macro.