
This prevents unwanted changes without a lot of hassle or extra work to make it ("C:\\Users\\Administrator\\Desktop\\sample.xlsx") When you create a form or sheet that you want others to fill out or add to, locking cells you don’t want touches keeps them safe. Protect Your Data and Lock Certain Cells in Excel Go to the Review tab, click Unprotect Sheet in the ribbon, and enter the password. To make changes to the locked cells yourself, simply unprotect the Excel sheet. You should receive a message letting you know that the cell is on a protected sheet.
Enter the password again to confirm it and click OK.īefore you share your sheet, give it a test. Optionally, check any other boxes for items you want to allow users to do in the sheet. This lets the user(s) enter the information needed in the unlocked cells. In the list of allowed items, check the box for Select unlocked cells. If you forget the password, it cannot be recovered or reset. Be sure to jot down the password or pop it into your password manager. Enter the password you want to use and check the box for Protect worksheet and contents of locked cells. Go to the Review tab and click Protect Sheet. Pick the Protection tab and check the box for Locked. With the cells selected, either right-click and choose Format Cells or click Format > Format Cells in the ribbon on the Home tab. Once you lock them, you’ll then protect the sheet to prevent changes to the locked cells. Next, select the cells, range of cells, rows, or columns you want to lock. Pick the Protection tab and uncheck the box for Locked. With the sheet selected, either right-click and choose Format Cells or click Format > Format Cells in the ribbon on the Home tab. Select the entire sheet by clicking the triangle in the upper left corner of the sheet. Open your workbook and go to the sheet you want to work from in Excel. To lock only specific cells, you’ll need to first unlock them all.
So the “locked” setting only applies if you protect the sheet. This gives you a head start if you decide to password-protect a spreadsheet. You may not realize it, but the cells in an Excel sheet are locked by default.
Here, we’ll show you how to lock certain cells, ranges of cells, rows, or columns in your Excel spreadsheet. You want to allow editing for necessary cells however, you don’t want others to edit cells containing company details, formulas, drop-down lists, or other information.
Examples can include creating an invoice, timesheet, or expense report.