Preserving formatting of merged cells when hiding columns

[Nick Xylas]

I have a spreadsheet that contains columns that my supervisor wants to
keep hidden when sending out to contacts. The problem is, there are
some merged cells further down the sheet that spread across those
columns, and hiding the columns messes up their formatting. Is there a
way to avoid this?

 

[Bob I]

merged cells are the bane of Excel, figure out how to do without them.

 

[AltaEgo]

You seem to wish to hide information rather than secure information. If so,
a custom format may work for you:

A) Highlight cells containing values you want hidden
B) Format/Cells/Number and select Custom
C) Enter ;;; (three semicolons) into the "Type:" dialogue box

This will make values invisible but if someone clicks on a hidden cell any
value or formula is visible in the formula bar.


HTH

 

[Dave Mills]

I have a spreadsheet that contains columns that my supervisor wants to
keep hidden when sending out to contacts. The problem is, there are
some merged cells further down the sheet that spread across those
columns, and hiding the columns messes up their formatting. Is there a
way to avoid this?

What stops the client simply unhiding the columns?

 

[Nick Xylas]

What stops the client simply unhiding the columns?

They'd be password protected.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Excel's internal security is very weak.

Anyone with access to the Internet or these newsgroups can find a cracker
that would reveal your password in seconds.

If you don't someone to see it........don't include it.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Nick Xylas]

Excel's internal security is very weak.

Anyone with access to the Internet or these newsgroups can find a cracker
that would reveal your password in seconds.

If you don't someone to see it........don't include it.

The people this is going out to aren't that tech savvy, and besides,
it wouldn't be a major disaster if they were to see the information,
it's just that we would prefer it if they didn't.

 

[Dave Mills]

The people this is going out to aren't that tech savvy, and besides,
it wouldn't be a major disaster if they were to see the information,
it's just that we would prefer it if they didn't.

My preference would be to send a PDF but that's no good if they need Excel
functionality.

 

[Harlan Grove]

....
The people this is going out to aren't that tech savvy, and besides,
it wouldn't be a major disaster if they were to see the information,
it's just that we would prefer it if they didn't.

There's no good way to do what you want to do using your current
layout.

If you'd prefer your recipients not see certain entries, don't include
them in what you're sending them. No need for hidden columns would
then mean no screwing up the formatting of merged cells.

Addressing the formatting problem directly, there's no way to fix
formatting in merged cells when you hide columns spanned by those
merged cells. Either don't use merged cells or don't hide columns.
Those are your choices.