How Do I Make a Spreadsheet Cell (or row/column) Read-Only and Invisible to Users?

  • dgspencer
    Asked on March 30, 2015 at 10:42 AM

    Hi

    I used the Spreadsheet Widget to create a table that calculates and totals entries across a row.  Unfortunately, if a user clicks into the cells that have the totals, the formula is displayed and can be edited by the user.  Same situation applies to my headers and labels.  Is there a way to lock these cells down and also make the cell contents invisible to the user?

    http://form.jotform.us/form/50883728278166

     

    Thanks

    Daryl

  • Carina
    Replied on March 30, 2015 at 12:26 PM

    Unfortunately i believe it is not possible to achieve using the Spreadsheet widget, but a workaround might be using text-box fields/form calculation instead:

    How Do I Make a Spreadsheet Cell (or row/column) Read Only and Invisible to Users? Image 1 Screenshot 20

    You can test and clone the demo form:
    http://form.jotformpro.com/form/50884656429973? 

    Let us know if we can assist you further.   

  • Carina
    Replied on March 30, 2015 at 12:28 PM

    In addition if you want the totals field to be invisible you can right click the field and select hide:

    How Do I Make a Spreadsheet Cell (or row/column) Read Only and Invisible to Users? Image 1 Screenshot 20

     

  • dgspencer
    Replied on March 30, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    That really puts me between a rock and a hard place.  I can't use a matrix b/c it doesn't allow you to calculate and get a total.  I can't use the spreadsheet widget b/c the user can easily change the contents of the cell.  If I use text box fields, I can't put those into a table format.  I'm open to any suggestions...

  • Carina
    Replied on March 30, 2015 at 2:53 PM

    Visually on the form they can look like a table, but when exporting they will be treated as the other text fields.

    If you need calculation, I believe that at the moment text-box field option is the best available. I will forward a request to our developers so they can consider the future implementation of a feature that disables editing and make them invisible on the Spreadsheet widget.

    We'll contact you via this thread once we have more information.

    But please let us know more details on your needs so we can try finding a workaround.

  • dgspencer
    Replied on March 30, 2015 at 3:11 PM

    that would be a very useful feature to have in the spreadsheet widget.  but tell me this:  would I use CSS in making the text boxes resemble a table?  I'm fairly new to creating forms with JotForm; I'm a recently rescued Adobe refugee.

  • Carina
    Replied on March 30, 2015 at 3:42 PM

    So welcome aboard! =)

    Please take a look at the test form:

    How Do I Make a Spreadsheet Cell (or row/column) Read Only and Invisible to Users? Image 1 Screenshot 20

    http://form.jotformpro.com/form/50884656429973? 

    You can clone it if you want:

    http://www.jotform.com/help/42-How-to-Clone-an-Existing-Form-from-a-URL  

    If you need further assistance please let us know and we'll be glad to assist you.

  • dgspencer
    Replied on March 31, 2015 at 10:50 AM

    I...I simply don't know what to say.  This level of customer service is unheard of and hasn't been seen in decades.  Are you people real because the service you give is simply too good to be true.  I'm absolutely in awe by the assistance, time, effort and dedication you give to JotForm users.  EVERY SINGLE problem I've encountered has either been resolved or easy, good-working alternatives given to me.  Saying "Thank you" hardly seems sufficient for all the help I've gotten since becoming (as I like to put it) an exiled refugee from A***e.  Boy, you people could give THEM some lessons! 

    Thank you so much, Carina....but I'm still wondering...who are you guys?  Nothing could be THIS good!

    :-)

  • Carina
    Replied on March 31, 2015 at 12:04 PM

    Thank you so much for your amazing feedback. I've shared it with the team. I'm very happy that you are having a nice transition and that you are happy with Jotform and with the support provided.

    Besides having a great product, we strive at providing excellent customer support, so thank you for letting us know that this was the case for you. It really makes our day to be able to read such a positive feedback.

    If you need further assistance please let us know as we're here to help.

  • Jeanette JotForm Support
    Replied on March 31, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    @dgspencer

    Hearing your cheerful feedback is VERY important to us. We are a very passionate team who really enjoy helping our users and customers to the best of our abilities. Our support team is spread around the 5 continents as we offer a 24/7 support service.

    This is what makes JotForm even greater.

    We celebrate as a team when one of our representatives makes someone happy, like Carina did.

    Thank you for your wonderful feedback.

  • Jeanette JotForm Support
    Replied on March 31, 2015 at 1:00 PM

    Besides my thank you note, here is an enhanced version of Carina's workaround. You can clone it and use it for your requirements

    http://form.jotformpro.com/form/50884656429973

     

  • Jeanette JotForm Support
    Replied on March 31, 2015 at 1:01 PM

    Actually, I was very excited reading your message that I posted the incorrect one above,  this is the correct one, feel free to clone it, using the guide Carina showed you above.

    http://form.jotformpro.com/form/50894546707971

    Cheers!

    :D

  • mulvinc
    Replied on May 13, 2015 at 11:40 AM

    I just tried some different options (as I also need a budget form), and I discovered that you can use the Calculation widget with a matrix.

    Set up your matrix, then select matrix as the field to calculate in the Calculation widget. You can select the rows/columns on that matrix in the widget.

    See: http://form.jotformpro.com/form/51324940805957

     

    I have to play around with it to get it to line up...but it does work. I'd prefer to just use the spreadsheet widget with the option to lock fields, but in the meantime, this will do.

  • Ashwin JotForm Support
    Replied on May 13, 2015 at 12:16 PM

    Hello mulvinc,

    I am glad to know that "Matrix" field fits into your requirement. Do try it out and get back to us if you need further help.

    Thank you!

  • TitusN
    Replied on December 3, 2015 at 6:55 AM

    Hello, 

    We've updated the spreadsheet widget to make cells "read only", for example, this form - https://form.jotform.com/53363229253959? - the last column is read-only. 

    Here's the configuration:

    How Do I Make a Spreadsheet Cell (or row/column) Read Only and Invisible to Users? Image 1 Screenshot 20

    Please give it a try - and share your feedback. 

    Thanks!

  • forusretail
    Replied on April 28, 2016 at 4:51 PM

    About the new spredsheet widget, I would like to know if I can hide the first row and column (A,B,C... and 1,2,3). Is it possible?

     

    Thanks

  • Kevin Support Team Lead
    Replied on April 28, 2016 at 5:12 PM

    @forusretail,

    I have moved your question to this thread: https://www.jotform.com/answers/828914

    We will assist you with that as soon as possible.