Verify scoring calculations

I need to confirm the scoring formulas used in last quarter's evaluation. Recreate the scoring sheet with candidate names in column A, raw inputs in B through E, the intermediate weighted scores in F through H, and the final score formula in I. Add conditional formatting to highlight any negative or zero weights and lock the cells that contain the established weight values so reviewers can't edit them by accident.

Before I send this to HR for sign-off, make the scoring transparent and hard to misread. Put the overall score and rank at the top, show the single line that created each candidate's final score, and flag any candidates whose rank would change if a weight shifted by plus or minus five percent. Add comments where I had to guess an input so the reviewer knows to verify.

The ranked list shifted and I tracked it to a hidden cell that contained a weight. The actors are the hiring manager who asked for a recalculation and an intern who edits spreadsheets for formatting. I'm afraid someone changed weights to favor a candidate and I don't know whether it was malicious or accidental. What is the most likely cause and what immediate evidence should I extract from the workbook to present to HR?

Every quarter we get questions about the final scores because formulas or weights have been altered. Recommend a habit that preserves integrity: the one spreadsheet protection or version control step to adopt, where to record approvals, and one daily check the team should do so we stop rework and credibility hits.