Stopping a Checked Box from being Unchecked

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 30, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365


Noel created a form that includes some check boxes. When someone selects the check box (so that a check appears in it), he would like to "lock" it so that the check box cannot then be unchecked.

This is very easy to do if you are using ActiveX check boxes in your form. All you need to do is remember that when the check box is clicked, an event is triggered for that checkbox. Let's say that your checkbox has a default name, such as CheckBox1. In this case, the CheckBox1_Click() event is triggered. Within the event handler, you can do just about anything you desire, including making sure that the check box stays checked.

Private Sub CheckBox1_Click()
    MsgBox "ActiveX CheckBox1 Clicked"
    If CheckBox1.Value = False Then CheckBox1.Value = True
End Sub

This approach works because the Value property of the check box is toggled whenever the check box is clicked. If it toggles to False (which means it is no longer checked), then you can immediately set the Value property back to True (meaning it is checked). This could be simplified a bit in this manner:

Private Sub CheckBox1_Click()
    MsgBox "ActiveX CheckBox1 Clicked"
    If Not (CheckBox1) Then CheckBox1 = 1
End Sub

In fact, you could simplify it even further in this way:

Private Sub CheckBox1_Click()
    MsgBox "ActiveX CheckBox1 Clicked"
    CheckBox1 = True
End Sub

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (13415) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Assigning Macros to Graphics

The graphics you place in a worksheet can do more than just look pretty. You can also assign macros to a graphic, which ...

Discover More

Avoiding Rounding Errors in Formula Results

Some formulas just don't give the results you expect. Sometimes this is due to the way that Excel handles rounding. ...

Discover More

Using the COLUMN Function

Need to know the column number for use in a formula? The worksheet function you want is the COLUMN function, described in ...

Discover More

Best-Selling VBA Tutorial for Beginners Take your Excel knowledge to the next level. With a little background in VBA programming, you can go well beyond basic spreadsheets and functions. Use macros to reduce errors, save time, and integrate with other Microsoft applications. Fully updated for the latest version of Office 365. Check out Microsoft 365 Excel VBA Programming For Dummies today!

More ExcelTips (ribbon)

Determining If a Number is Odd or Even

If you need to know whether a particular value is odd or even, you can use this simple formula. Designed to be used in a ...

Discover More

Resetting Default Names for New Worksheets

When you add a new worksheet to a workbook, Excel gives it a default name that consists of "Sheet" followed by a number. ...

Discover More

Understanding Variables in VBA Macros

You can create and use all sorts of variables in your macros. This tip examines all the different data types you can specify.

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is nine more than 9?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.