How to add data in Excel when sheet protection is activated

[Lanka Boy]

I have a unlocked cell, with Data Validation, List. With sheet protection activated I cannot "add" to the cell contents supplied from the List function. If sheet protection is off, this is possible. Is there a way to have this feature with sheet protection turned on (activated)? If you guys have any of the information or any of the suggestion then please let me know.

[Bontu]

Are you saying that in say cell A1 you have a drop down list created via data validation? You’re clicked on this cell and chosen format / cells / protection - and unchecked locked and then when you choose tools / protection / protect sheet you can't make a selection from the drop down list in A1? If so, this is definitely not the standard behavior of excel, so: what version / service packs etc (help / about microsoft excel)? If you test the same scenario in a new workbook what happens? Is there anything odd or unusual about the list (is it create using a range name, or have you typed the entries into the source line in the data /validation dialog box - not that it should make a difference)?

[DanielaA]

If the sheet is protected, you can't change the cell's Data Validation. So, if you typed the list in the Data Validation dialog box, you won't be able to modify the list. Instead, you could use a dynamic list on an unprotected sheet, and add entries to that list.