Knowledge Base

XL2000: Run-Time Error Message Occurs When Using SpecialCells Method with Protection

Article ID: 213203

Article Last Modified on 11/23/2006

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q213203

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to use the SpecialCells method in a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications macro or procedure 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 can occur if both of the following conditions are true:

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

-and-

The contents of the active worksheet are currently protected.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior use one of the following methods.

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals 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 needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

Method 1: Unprotect the Worksheet

If the SpecialCells method is used on a worksheet with the contents protected, the macro produces the error message described in the "Symptoms" section. To avoid this error message, unprotect the sheet before using the SpecialCells method. Reapply the protection after the cells have been selected. This sample macro 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 the worksheet is protected by a password, you must supply the password as an argument for the Unprotect method.

Method 2: Use the SendKeys Statement

The SpecialCells constant xlCellTypeLastCell has a keyboard equivalent that can be selected by pressing a specific key combination. You can use this constant to select the last cell in the used range by using the SpecialCells method. This operation can be simulated on the worksheet by pressing CTRL+END. Using the SendKeys statement, a macro can simulate this key combination.

The following sample macro provides a simulation of pressing CTRL+END, and it operates when the worksheet contents are protected:

Sub Test1()
   Application.SendKeys "^{END}"
End Sub

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Excel 2000.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to use the sample code in this article, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

212536 OFF2000: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

For more information about keyboard commands, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type keyboard shortcuts in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Additional query words: XL2000

Keywords: kbbug kbdtacode kberrmsg kbpending KB213203