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Similar to locking formulas, locking cells and columns in Google Sheets differs from Excel. Therefore, applying Excel-like steps may not work.
1. Locking Cells and Columns in Google Sheets.
2. Locking Entire Google Sheets Spreadsheet.
3. Viewing All Locked Cells and Columns in Google Sheets.
Note: The Google Sheets app for Android and iOS currently doesn't provide any method or option to lock cells and columns in spreadsheets.
1. Lock Cells and Columns in Google Sheets
You can lock individual cells, columns, or multiple cells and columns in Google Sheets. Here's how:
Step 1: First, select the cells or columns you want to lock in Google Sheets, right-click on them, and choose Protect range
Step 2: Now, a window will appear on the screen where you can enter a description or select additional options. Choose the Sheets tab if you have multiple spreadsheets open. Once done, click on Set permissions to finalize.
Step 3: Select the option Restrict who can edit this range to specify who can edit this range. Then, click on Only you from the lock menu to ensure that other users cannot edit the data in these cells, columns.
Additionally, you can choose Custom to customize and enter the usernames of those you want to allow to edit.
Click on Copy permissions from another range to duplicate permissions from a different cell range if you've already locked data ranges, cells, or columns and want to apply similar changes to these cells and columns.
Step 4: If you choose Custom, proceed to enter the usernames of those you wish to grant editing permissions to. Click on Done button to complete. Repeat the same process with other cells, columns, or data ranges in Google Sheets that you want to secure.
Locked cells and data ranges in Google Sheets will be marked to distinguish them from unlocked cells.
From now on, if someone tries to edit your Google Sheets spreadsheet, they will receive an error notification on their screen like the one below:
2. Lock Entire Google Sheets Spreadsheet
In addition to locking cells and columns, you can also lock the entire Google Sheets spreadsheet.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: First, select and right-click on the sheet name you want to lock, located at the bottom left corner of the screen, and choose Protect Sheet (protect spreadsheet).
Step 2: If you wish to lock the entire spreadsheet, except for certain cells or columns, on the window displayed on the screen, you tick the box next to Except certain cells and select the cells or columns you don't want to lock.
Step 3: Once completed, click on Set permissions and follow similar steps 3 and 4 above to complete the process.
3. View all locked cells and columns in Google Sheets
To view a list of all locked cells, columns, or data ranges in Google Sheets, on the toolbar you click on Data =>Protected sheets and ranges . Here, you will see all the locked cells and spreadsheets.
This article by Mytour just guided you on how to lock cells and columns in Google Sheets. Hopefully, with these handy tips, you'll be able to navigate and master Google Sheets better.
Apart from locking cells and columns in Google Sheets, you can also explore how to lock formulas in Google spreadsheets here.
- Read more: How to Lock Formulas in Google Sheets.
