#calculated fields

The use case here is that we're using a custom list to track degree programs whose curricula is approved for graduates to apply for our certification program via an abbreviated application process. The degree programs need to renew that approval every five years.

So in the SharePoint list, one field contains the degree program's next renewal due date. The calculated field displaying the year of that renewal date gives program administrators a way to filter upcoming renewals by year, seeing what programs are coming due and how many programs are coming up for renewal in a given year.

Problem is that the calculation has been overwritten on a couple of occasions. This email came in the other day:

Subject: I did it again! Help, please.

When working to update the news that I had approved a program renewal, I mistakenly entered a next renewal year of 2017. It subsequently made the entire column reflect 2017 for every program. I think I recall you fixing that fairly easily last time.

Unfortunately SharePoint 2010 does not offer read-only columns, or granular permissions on a list column, out-of-the-box. A little digging on the internet uncovered some ways to do it, but they look highly technical and painful to implement. Long story short is that it's going to remain a user-training issue to not overwrite the formula. And if it does get overwritten here's how to fix it:

Edit the column

Paste in the formula.