Preventing overwriting of protected worksheet

[DFITZGERALD]

We've designed a worksheet for internal users to request a specific service. The worksheet form has locked and unlocked cells. The worksheet is password protected. It is shared on a public drive. We want to prevent users from "Saving" and force them to "Save As" in order to maintain a "clean" worksheet for other users. How do we do this?

[maccountantuk]

How about saving the worksheet as a template (*.xlt, *.xltx)?

That way, when the next user comes along and opens it, Excel will typically prompt them to "save as..." on their first attempt to save.

[DFITZGERALD]

I thought that too! Saved it as an Excel template, then I protected the template. Made some changes, like I was completing the form, and I was able to save it, thereby overwriting the template! I was never prompted to "save as."

[shg]

The default action for a template is New. The only way your users would get the behavior you describe is if they right-clicked and selected Open.

Just use an ordinary workbook and make it read-only.

[DFITZGERALD]

That's it! Thank you.

[shg]

You're welcome.