Easily Lock and Protect Cells in Microsoft Excel
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated January 24, 2021
Applies to: Microsoft® Excel® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)
It’s easy to lock and protect cells in Excel to protect data or formulas. This involves a two-step process. First, unlock the cells where you want to allow users to make changes to the data or formula and then lock or protect the remaining cells in the worksheet. You’ll be able to unlock cells later on.
Recommended article: 10 Excel Data Entry Tricks and Shortcuts Every User Should Know
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Unlocking specific cells
The first step in this process is to unlock cells where you want to allow users to make changes to the data or formula:
- Select the cells you want to unlock.
- Right-click the selected cell(s) and choose Format Cells or press Ctrl + 1. The Format Cells dialog box appears.
- Click the Protection tab.
- Uncheck Locked.
- Click OK. Nothing will appear to occur until you protect the sheet.
Locking remaining cells by protecting the worksheet
The second step in this strategy is to protect the sheet using the Review tab on the Ribbon:
- Display the worksheet you want to protect.
- Click the Review tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Changes group, click Protect Sheet. A dialog box appears.
- Check or uncheck the desired options (it’s usually best to leave the first two checked). Be sure to scroll down to see all of the available options.
- Enter a password (you will need to set a password if you don’t want others to be able to unprotect the sheet). Passwords are case sensitive and you should keep a copy of your passwords.
- Enter the password again.
- Click OK. You will be unable to enter or change data or formulas in the locked cells.
Unprotecting the sheet and unlocking cells
To unprotect the sheet and unlock cells:
- Display the worksheet you want to unprotect.
- Click Unprotect Sheet on the Review tab in the Ribbon.
- Enter the password if prompted.
- Click OK.
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More resources
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