Protect sheet from formatting but allow editing of cells

On the Review tab, click on Protect Sheet, then in the list of choices select what you want the user to be able to do. Unselected items will not be able to be changed unless the worksheet is unprotected. In this case leave all the formatting choices unselected. Assign a password. Repeat for all worksheets that you want to protect.

Cells to be edited must be unlocked in Format Cells, Protection. Deselect Locked then apply the above. Cells can be edited but the formatting can't be changed.

This works in Excel 2010 and should be similar to your version.

1st of all go to 'Review, 'Protect Sheet. uncheck (or check) off the editing that you do & do not want your other users to carry out. Enter a password - it asks twice for the same password.

The sheet is now protected. However, by default Excel protects every cell on the sheet so go back to 'Protect Sheet and enter the password to unprotect the worksheet. Select the cell, a range of cells that you wish users to be able to edit the cell contents, right click and choose 'Format, 'Protection then uncheck the 'Locked box. you have unlocked the chosen area(s) then go back and protect the worksheet again. After protecting the WS you should only be able to select those previously unlocked cells.

It may seem confusing at 1st but it does make sense.

The option to edit isn't a choice. It is determined by the LOCKED or UNLOCKED status of the cells. Only UNLOCKED cells may be edited. To unlock cells, the worksheet must be unprotected. Select the cells that you want to allow editing in and right click, choose FORMAT CELLS. Under the PROTECTION tab, DESELECT LOCKED. Click OK.

Now you can go to the REVIEW tab PROTECT WORKSHEET, assign a password, select unlocked in the list and when the worksheet is protected the unlocked cells will be accessible for editing. Click OK.

Doverman is right, But remember you need to 1) Protect the Sheet, in the box that opens up in 'Protect Sheet you would check 'Select Unlocked cells and uncheck Format cells, Format Columns, Format Rows and also anything else that you do not wish users to change. 2) Assign a password (twice). 3) Unprotect the WS using your new password. 4) Select the RANGE(s) that you want users to edit. 5) Right click the range, choose format cells, 'protection and choose "UNLOCK. then finally 6) Protect the sheet again.

Also, you may want to use Data Validation under the Data tab to prevent inadvertent changes. Select the cells you do not want users to change, Under Validation settings you have options to choose from, Type 'anything' in the cell, type only certain length whole numbers (for example choose max 6 min 3) this will only allow a 3 number format. Plus other choices. You can add a warning or a stop message to pop up if a 'wrong' format has been entered.