Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I have 3 auditing tools in my toolbar -- trace precedents, trace dependents &amp; remove arrows. All of a sudden all 3 are grayed out and (of course) inoperative. <br><br>I thought I must have changed something in Preferences without meaning to, but I can't find any culprit. <br><br>Hope someone can help!

Jimper@officeformac.com wrote:
> Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor:
> Intel I have 3 auditing tools in my toolbar -- trace precedents, trace
> dependents & remove arrows. All of a sudden all 3 are grayed out and (of
> course) inoperative.
>
> I thought I must have changed something in Preferences without meaning
> to, but I can't find any culprit.
>
> Hope someone can help!

Hi,

The auditing tools are grayed out if you have protected the worksheet. 
Try the Tools menu and see if Protection has been turned on.

-Jim

-- 
Jim Gordon
Mac MVP
Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies

Jim, <br><br>Nope, nothing in the workbook is protected. But I just realized that none of my other workbooks have this problem, so it probably isn't something I might have changed in Preferences.  <br><br>I've gone through every item in each menu to see if there's a difference in the settings there, but if there is, I can't find it. <br><br>Mny thanks for your answer!

Jimper@officeformac.com wrote:
> Jim,
>
> Nope, nothing in the workbook is protected. But I just realized that
> none of my other workbooks have this problem, so it probably isn't
> something I might have changed in Preferences.
>
> I've gone through every item in each menu to see if there's a difference
> in the settings there, but if there is, I can't find it.
>
> Mny thanks for your answer!

The auditing tools are not available on Macro sheets or Chart Sheets. 
There may be some other conditions where the auditing tools can not be 
used. When you do use the tools, it's normal behavior that the 
dependency and precedence lines go away when the workbook is saved, 
including when it is autosaved.

-Jim

-- 
Jim Gordon
Mac MVP
Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies

Jim, <br><br>The problem exists in a new annual financial report I've prepared for 2010. It has no macros or charts, and the problem doesn't exist in the 2009 or earlier versions. <br><br>I know the lines go away after a save. This isn't a problem -- it's that the tools themselves are inoperative. <br><br>Jim

Jimper@officeformac.com wrote:
> Jim,
>
> The problem exists in a new annual financial report I've prepared for
> 2010. It has no macros or charts, and the problem doesn't exist in the
> 2009 or earlier versions.
>
> I know the lines go away after a save. This isn't a problem -- it's that
> the tools themselves are inoperative.
>
> Jim

hmmmm.

If you don't remember what was done immediately prior to the buttons 
becoming inactive, it's hard to guess what could be the cause.

Is it the entire workbook or just one sheet that is giving you fits? If 
you add a new sheet, are the buttons available?

Did you try copying the information to a new sheet or workbook to see 
what happens?

-Jim

-- 
Jim Gordon
Mac MVP
Co-author of Office 2008 for Mac All-in-One For Dummies
http://tinyurl.com/Office-2008-for-Dummies

Jim <br><br>I finally solved the problem -- but not very elegantly. <br><br>I made a copy of a previous year's report that didn't have the problem, cleared the data and pasted the data from the problem workbook into each sheet of the new document. <br><br>I still don't know what caused the problem -- and wish I did! -- but at least it's gone away. (For now!) <br><br>Many thanks for your help!