How to Protect Cells in Microsoft Excel

When we are working on a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, we may find it necessary from time to time to protect or lock some of the cells or the whole spreadsheet. The purpose of locking cells in Microsoft Excel is to keep anyone using the spreadsheet, from editing the contents of the protected cells. You might do this when sharing a spreadsheet with another person or you might protect only some of the cells in a spreadsheet you are working on so you do not accidentally change some content you do not want to change. Usually the content is containing a formula or a function that can be worse if we change it accidentally.

For Microsoft Excel 2007

Step1

Open your spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel 2007.

Step2

Select any cells you do not want protected. Right click on them and click "Format Cells." You can skip this step if you will be protecting the entire sheet or workbook.

Step3

Select the "Protection" tab. The "Locked" option will automatically be checked, but the cell is not protected yet. Click on the box to remove the check mark so that group of cells will not be locked when you protect the sheet.

Step4

Click on the "Review" menu. Look for the "Changes" section on the right side and click "Protect Sheet" to protect only that sheet or tab, or click "Protect Workbook" to protect all of the sheets. The "Protect" dialog box will open.

Step5

Select the attributes you want to restrict. If you would like to specify a password to unlock the sheet or workbook, you may do it here, but that is optional.

Step6

Click "OK." Your worksheet or entire workbook will be locked as you requested.

Step7

Click the "Unprotect Sheet" or "Unprotect Workbook" button to unlock the cells.

Microsoft Excel 1997-2003

Step1

Open your spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.

Step2

Select any cells you do not want protected. Right click on them and click "Format Cells." You can skip this step if you will be protecting the entire sheet or workbook.

Step3

Select the "Protection" tab. The "Locked" option will automatically be checked, but the cell is not protected yet. Click on the box to remove the check mark so that group of cells will not be locked when you protect the sheet.

Step4

Click on the "Tools" menu, and then "Protection." Click "Protect Sheet" to protect only that sheet/tab or click "Protect Workbook" to protect all of the sheets. The "Protect" dialog box will open.

Step5

Select the attributes you want to restrict. If you would like to specify a password to unlock the sheet or workbook, you may do it here, but that is optional.

Step6

Click "OK." Your worksheet or entire workbook will be locked as you requested.

Step7

Click on the "Tools" menu, "Protection" and "Unprotect Sheet" or "Unprotect Workbook" button to unlock the cells.