Knowledge Base

XL98: Run-Time Error Using SpecialCells Method with Protection

Article ID: 186375

Article Last Modified on 10/10/2006

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Excel 98 for Macintosh

This article was previously published under Q186375

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to use the SpecialCells method in a Visual Basic for Applications macro in Microsoft Excel, you may receive the following error message:

Run-time error '1004':

You cannot use this command on a protected sheet. To unprotect the sheet, use the Unprotect Sheet command (Tools menu, Protection submenu). You may be prompted for a password.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:

You are running a Visual Basic for Applications macro that selects cells by using the SpecialCells method. -and-

The contents of the active worksheet are currently protected.

WORKAROUND

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. If the SpecialCells method is used on a worksheet with the contents protected, the macro will produce the error listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article. To avoid this error, unprotect the sheet before using the SpecialCells method. Reapply the protection once the cells have been selected. This example unprotects the sheet, selects all blank cells in the used range, and then protects the sheet:

   Sub Test3()
      ActiveSheet.Unprotect
      Selection.SpecialCells(xlCellTypeBlanks).Select
      ActiveSheet.Protect DrawingObjects:=True, Contents:=True, _
         Scenarios:=True
   End Sub

NOTE: If a the worksheet is protected by a password, you must supply the password as an argument for the Unprotect method.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.

REFERENCES

For more information about the SpecialCells method, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type SpecialCells, click Search, and then click to view "SpecialCells Method."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

176476 OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions

For more information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

163435 VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for Applications

For more information about running sample, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

173707 OFF97: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

Additional query words: goto XL98

Keywords: kbbug kbdtacode kbpending KB186375