Reem, one of the PHD readers, asks in e-mail,
Is there a way to prevent users from unhiding “hidden sheets” in an excel file – without using VBA?
or to put it in other words, can the “Format/Sheet/Unhide” be disabled for specific worksheets?
Here is a non-VBA way to do this. I am not sure if this is optimum, but it seems to produce results without much effort. And it doesn’t use VBA, just the VBA Editor.
Step 1: Right click on the tab you want to hide and select view code option
Step 2: In the properties window for that sheet, set “visibility” as 2 – xlSheetVeryHidden
Step 3: Now right click on the sheet name in project explorer area and select VBA Project properties
Step 4: Go to “Protection” tab and check “Lock” project
Step 5: and set password for protection, click ok
Step 6: when someone tries to open the VBA Code for that sheet to make the worksheet tab unhidden (visible), Excel prompts for a password
This trick is very handy when you are sharing workbooks with others and afraid that they may ruin the calculations or data.
9 Responses to “Show forecast values in a different color with this simple trick [charting]”
While this works in a pinch, it clearly "lightens" the colors of the entire chart. Depending on where you use this, it will be blatantly obvious that you don't know what you are doing and present a poor looking graph.
Why not separate the data into different segments when charting and have as many colors as you have data points? You might have to create a new legend and/or repeat the chart in "invisible ink", but it would be cleaner and more consistent when new or updated data becomes available.
While I think I agree that doing it "properly" via a second series is preferable, I don't necessarily agree that making the entirety of the "future" (data, gridlines, and even the axis) semi-transparent is "poor looking". I think it could be seen as adding more emphasis to the "future-ness" of the forecast data.
In short, it's another tool for the toolbox, even if it's never needed.
Simply and clever 🙂
Quick & effective, cool. thanks.
I always use the dummy series.
Nice little trick, thanks very much!
Two sets of data better. Control is much better.
You can use the same chart next month to see what is actual and what is forecast.
To use this trick, I think grid lines has to be removed, that will make the graphic much more sharp.
to be honest, i dont understand why there is needed to do this way... in this case horizontal lines will be pale as well. then why a just can't change the color of the line partly???
Great tutorial. Thanks for the tutorial!