Auto filter sort ascending not working while sheet protected

[TommyB]

I have a sheet with a couple of columns that contain formulas, so I have
protected those columns and left the rest of the sheet open for data entry.
The problem is, now when I try to sort ascending or descending (on a column
containing dates) using the auto filter, it just does not work at all.

Any suggestions?

 

[Pete_UK]

If you have Excel 2000 (and maybe 2002 - I'm not sure exactly when it
was changed) then you will not be able to sort on a sheet which is
protected. Later versions did allow certain options when the sheet was
protected, but I'm not sure if those extended to sorting.

Pete

 

[TommyB]

I am using Excel 2003. After locking the cells with the formulas in them I go
to Protect Sheet and it gives me a bunch of check boxes for the things I want
to allow users of the worksheet to do. One of them is sort. I check that box
and then apply protection. However, when I go back to AutoFilter from the
column header and click "sort ascending" it will not allow me to. It says "
the worksheet is protected and cannot perform the change you are requesting".

Anything else I could be missing here?

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Gord Dibben]

You can allow autofiltering on protected sheets from 2002 onward.

Autofilter must be in place before protecting the worksheet with "use
autofilter" checkmarked.

i.e. Arrows must be showing

As far as sorting........there is a checkbox to allow sorting, but I have never
been able to get Excel to sort on a protected sheet without unlocking all cells,
which kinda defeats the purpose of protecting a sheet<g>

Might be a good chance I don't know what I'm doing??


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[TommyB]

Thanks Gord. Interesting that when I choose to allow sort from their provided
list, it does not work... Oh well...

BTW, this group is great. I have learned more in the last month than ever
taking classes.

 

[Olivier]

Yea it remains strange that you have a checkbox "allow users to use
filter/auto filter" excel than blocks this option.

So Microsoft: PLEASE FIX THIS BUG!!.

On this website numerous posts on this issue, many people experience this
problem. Using macro is complex and unnecessary when the checkbox would work
as required. Macro's are also not ideal because im making sheets who needs to
be bullet proof, for less experienced users.

PS: Im using excel 2007 on XP with all updates.

Thanks other users of this forum for your post, all helpful.

brgds Olivier

 

[Dennis Tucker]

I had issues with this too. In situations where I want to just share data,
I do the following.

1. I do not use the worksheet protection.
2. I password protect the workbook.
3. To share the data with others, I create a .CSV version(sorted or
whatever).