Paste into Excel locked cells - excel

Question

I'm creating a template for users to input data into. All I want them to be able to do is copy their data from their source and put it into Cells A21-D21. Once pasted they cannot delete or alter anything, excel is used only to be able to print. Repasting is fine as this will be a template. Ideally, users would export directly into this protected worksheet and be done with it, but instrument software just calls for excel not a specific database location.
In short, users get data from an instrument and it is saved in a format that it cannot be manipulated but neither can it be shown on any computer except what's connected to the instrument. I need this data to be put into excel but cannot be altered. Auditors can compare the Raw data to the excel if they choose.
Is there a way to have worksheet protected and select the one unlocked cell(Format Cell), A1, and then have the entire range of A21-D21 filled/pasted into?
The thinking is that people will manipulate the raw data to get the answers they want but this will limit users to paste only.
So I guess, simply, I'm hoping to find a way to allow users to copy/paste and THAT'S IT! ?

Answer 1

I don't know if there is a way to do what you want inside Excel, but it can be done programatically.
// Note: need to add reference to Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel to get these namespaces
// In Visual Studio, choose Project > Add Reference > COM > Type Libraries >
// Microsoft Excel 16.0 Object Library
using Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
namespace ConsoleApp1
{
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
string fileName = #"c:\users\eric.sundquist\desktop\book1.xlsx";
int worksheetNumber = 1;
List<string> contents = new List<string> { "1", "2", "3", "4" };
PasteIntoProtectedSheet(fileName, worksheetNumber, contents);
}
static void PasteIntoProtectedSheet(string fileName, int worksheetNumber,
List<string> contents)
{
Application excel = new Application();
Workbook workbook = excel.Workbooks.Open(fileName);
workbook.Sheets[worksheetNumber].Unprotect();
// Can pass in password as parameter if needed
Range range = workbook.Sheets[1].Range("A21:D21");
for (int column = 0; column < contents.Count; column++)
{
range.Cells[1, column + 1] = contents[column];
}
workbook.Sheets[worksheetNumber].Protect();
workbook.Save();
workbook.Close();
Marshal.ReleaseComObject(range);
Marshal.ReleaseComObject(workbook);
Marshal.ReleaseComObject(excel);
}
}
}