Buzz
Once you've finished processing data in an Excel spreadsheet, there might be occasions where you prefer to prevent others from editing a specific data range within the spreadsheet. You're looking to lock down that important data area, but finding it challenging to do so.
The following article guides you on how to lock a data range in an Excel spreadsheet. Here's what you need to do:
Step 1: Open the sheet containing the data range you want to lock, then select all sheets by pressing Ctrl + A. Right-click afterward and choose Format Cells.
In the Format Cells dialog, select the Protection tab and uncheck Locked, then press OK.
Step 2: Choose the data range you want to lock, then right-click and select Format Cells.
In the Format Cells dialog that appears, go to the Protection tab, check Locked, and press OK.
Step 3: You can select the Review tab -> Protect Sheet (or Home -> Format -> Protect Sheet).
The Protect Sheet dialog appears, where you enter a password in the Password to unprotect sheet field -> OK.
Confirm the password in the Reenter password to proceed dialog -> OK.
So now your data range is locked. To unlock it, go to Review -> Unprotect Sheet (or Home -> Format -> Unprotect Sheet), then enter the password in the Unprotect Sheet dialog and press OK to unlock the data range.
With these simple steps, you can quickly lock the necessary data range to prevent others from editing it. Just remember the password to unlock it when needed. Wish you success!
