XL2000: Protection Unexpectedly Removed from Worksheet When You Run Macro (231153)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q231153

SYMPTOMS

When you protect a worksheet manually, or protect a worksheet programmatically with the UserInterfaceOnly:=True argument, the protection may be removed when you run a macro. This behavior occurs even if the macro does not command that the protection be removed and the macro makes no changes to the worksheet.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when macro commands the Page Setup dialog box, and then the macro commands print preview. An example of how this can occur is shown in the "More Information" section of this article.

WORKAROUND

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/partner/referral/

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

To work around this issue, do one of the following:
  • Reapply protection manually. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Protect Sheet.
    2. In the Protect Sheet dialog box, click OK.
    -or-
  • Use the following sample macro to apply protection programmatically by :
    Sub Protect()
    Dim wb As Worksheet
    Set wb = Workbooks("Book1").Worksheets("Sheet1")
    wb.Protect userinterfaceonly:=True
End Sub

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Example of Problem

  1. Start Excel, and then type Test in cell A1.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Protect Sheet.
  3. In the Protect Sheet dialog box, click OK.

    Note that you cannot make any changes to the sheet.
  4. Open a new workbook.
  5. In the second workbook, press ALT+F11 to start the Microsoft Visual Basic Editor.
  6. On the Insert menu, click Module.
  7. In the module sheet, type the following macro: 
    Sub Test()
    UnprotectSheet Workbooks("Book1").Worksheets("Sheet1")
End Sub

Sub UnprotectSheet(oSht As Worksheet)
    oSht.Protect userinterfaceonly:=True
    Application.SendKeys "%S{ESC}%C"
    oSht.PrintPreview
End Sub
  8. Press ALT+F11 to return to Excel.
  9. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros.
  10. In the Macro name list, click Test, and then click Run.
  11. When the Page Setup dialog box appears, click OK.
  12. Close print preview.

    Note that sheet protection is removed.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/11/2006
Keywords:kbbug kbpending KB231153
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.