diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/controls.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/controls.rs
index ac1c9d90f..a7c0afbf8 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/controls.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/controls.rs
@@ -276,11 +276,14 @@ fn linked_number(wb: &Workbook, host: usize, c: &FormControl) -> Option<f64> {
     wb.sheet(si)?.cell(cell)?.value.as_f64()
 }
 
-/// Writes `value` to the linked cell through `cell.set` (nothing without a link).
+/// Writes `value` to the linked cell through `cell.set` (nothing without a link, or when the cell
+/// already shows `value`, formula or not: Format Control's OK sends the value back every time, and
+/// a write that changes nothing must not turn a formula into a constant or fail on a locked cell
+/// of a protected sheet; a real change replaces a formula with the constant, as in Excel).
 fn write_link(s: &mut Session, host: usize, link: Option<&str>, value: u32) -> Result<()> {
     let Some(link) = link else { return Ok(()) };
     let Some((si, cell)) = link_target(&s.doc()?.wb, host, link) else { return Ok(()) };
-    let holds = s.doc()?.wb.sheet(si).and_then(|sh| sh.cell(cell)).and_then(|c| if c.formula.is_none() { c.value.as_f64() } else { None });
+    let holds = s.doc()?.wb.sheet(si).and_then(|sh| sh.cell(cell)).and_then(|c| c.value.as_f64());
     if holds == Some(value as f64) {
         return Ok(());
     }
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/controls.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/controls.rs
index 5442aabde..27c0a685a 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/controls.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/controls.rs
@@ -697,6 +697,42 @@ fn a_button_command_that_would_open_a_dialog_or_a_page_is_refused_after_it_runs(
     assert_eq!(s.ui_requests.len(), 2);
 }
 
+/// A linked cell that holds a formula: a write of the value the formula already shows is skipped,
+/// so Format Control's OK (which sends the value back every time) keeps the formula, also on a
+/// protected sheet with the cell locked; a changed value replaces the formula with the constant.
+#[test]
+fn a_formula_in_the_linked_cell_survives_a_write_of_the_value_it_shows() {
+    let mut s = s();
+    s.execute("cell.set", json!({"cell": "A1", "input": "10"})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("cell.set", json!({"cell": "B1", "input": "=A1*2"})).unwrap();
+    let formula =
+        |s: &Session| s.doc().unwrap().wb.sheet(0).unwrap().cell(gridcraft_core::CellRef::parse("B1").unwrap()).is_some_and(|c| c.formula.is_some());
+    assert!(formula(&s));
+    // Inserting with the value the formula shows (10 * 2 = 20) writes nothing.
+    let c = id(&s.execute("insert.slider", json!({"at": "D2", "link": "B1", "value": 20})).unwrap());
+    assert!(formula(&s), "the formula stays");
+    assert_eq!(v(&s, "B1"), Value::Number(20.0));
+    // The dialog's OK: every number sent back, the value unchanged, a new name.
+    s.execute("control.format", json!({"id": c, "name": "Speed", "value": 20, "min": 0, "max": 100, "step": 1, "page": 10, "locked": false}))
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(formula(&s), "a rename keeps the formula");
+    // Editing A1 moves the control through the formula (15 * 2 = 30); OK with that value keeps it.
+    s.execute("cell.set", json!({"cell": "A1", "input": "15"})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(control(&s, c).value, 30);
+    s.execute("control.format", json!({"id": c, "value": 30, "min": 0, "max": 100, "step": 1})).unwrap();
+    assert!(formula(&s));
+    // On a protected sheet with B1 locked, the same OK is not refused.
+    s.execute("review.protectSheet", json!({})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("control.format", json!({"id": c, "name": "Rate", "value": 30, "min": 0, "max": 100, "step": 1})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(control(&s, c).name, "Rate");
+    assert!(formula(&s));
+    s.execute("review.unprotectSheet", json!({})).unwrap();
+    // A changed value writes the constant over the formula.
+    s.execute("control.format", json!({"id": c, "value": 40, "min": 0, "max": 100, "step": 1})).unwrap();
+    assert!(!formula(&s), "the formula is replaced");
+    assert_eq!(v(&s, "B1"), Value::Number(40.0));
+}
+
 /// Using a slider or spin button writes its linked cell through `cell.set`, so the cell's
 /// protection governs it: a locked cell on a protected sheet refuses the change, and the control
 /// keeps its value (the control's change and the cell write are one group, rolled back together).