Protecting data
Sometimes your worksheets contain data that you want to protect from being easily changed. For example, you may want to prevent a formula from being inadvertantly edited. Locking a worksheet prevents inadvertent changes to the worksheet contents.
To lock all cells in a worksheet
- In the action bar, click Worksheet.
- In the pop-up menu, click Properties.
- At the top of the pop-up panel, click Security
- Click "Lock contents of protected cells in this sheet."
Now you will not be able to change cell contents until this setting is reversed.
- To close the pop-up panel, click
.
Note Because you don't use a password to lock a worksheet, someone other than yourself can unlock the worksheet and make changes. However, locking the worksheet helps to prevent inadvertant changes to the worksheet.
To leave some cells unlocked when you lock a worksheet
You can leave specified ranges unprotected to allow changes to the range contents.
- Select the range that you want to keep unlocked.
- In the action bar, click Properties.
- At the top of the pop-up panel, click Security .
- Click "Unlock cell contents when worksheet is locked" to make a check mark appear.
If you no longer want to keep these cells unlocked, repeat the procedure about and deselect "Unlock cell contents when worksheet is locked."
- To close the pop-up panel, click
.
Notes
- Even when you lock a worksheet, other people can unlock the worksheet or unpriotect cells and make changes. Locking a worksheet, however, helps to prevent inadvertent changes.
- Though you cannot change the data in a protected range, you can change the text and number formats to affect the way this data looks.
See also
Why hide data?
Hiding columns or rows
Dispalying hidden columns or rows
Sizing columns
Sizing rows