XL2000: How to Programmatically Disable Keyboard Functionality

In Microsoft Excel, you can programmatically disable all of the keys on the computer keyboard by setting the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications DataEntryMode property to xlOff.

A sample Visual Basic macro that you can use to turn off the keyboard is provided in the "More Information" section.

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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 The following sample macro turns off keyboard functionality for the active sheet only. To turn keyboard functionality back on, press CTRL+D.

To create this macro, follow these steps:

1. Start Excel.
2. Press ALT+F11 to start the Visual Basic Editor.
3. On the Insert menu, click Module.
4. Type the following code into the module sheet:

   ' Macro to turn off keyboard entry.
   Sub KeyboardOff()
      ' Sets CTRL+D to activate KeyboardOn.
      Application.OnKey "^d", "KeyboardOn"
      Application.DataEntryMode = True
   End Sub
   
   ' Macro to restore keyboard entry.
   Sub KeyboardOn()
      Application.DataEntryMode = False
   End Sub
   					

5. Press ALT+F11 to return to Excel.
6. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros.
7. Click KeyboardOff, and then click Run.
   
   Note that the keyboard does not respond.
8. Press CTRL+D.
   
   Note that the keyboard functions as expected.

For more information about the DataEntryMode property, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type dataentrymode property in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

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