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Quick Answer

Go to the Review tab, click Protect Sheet, choose a password (optional), check the boxes for actions you want to allow users to do, and click OK.

How to Protect a Sheet or Workbook in Excel ​

Applies to: Microsoft 365 (Excel desktop, Excel for the Web)
Article Type: How-To
Last Updated: 2026-03-09

Summary ​

Excel lets you lock cells, protect sheets, and protect workbooks to prevent accidental edits. No admin rights are needed — these are user-level protections built into Excel. This article explains the different levels of protection and how to apply them.

Prerequisites ​

  • Microsoft Excel (desktop or web).

Instructions ​

1. Protect a Worksheet ​

Prevent other users from editing cells on a specific sheet.

  1. Open the worksheet you want to protect.
  2. Go to the Review tab.
  3. Click Protect Sheet.
  4. Optionally enter a password (leave blank for protection without a password).
  5. Choose what users are allowed to do on the protected sheet:
    • Select locked cells — users can click on locked cells (but not edit them).
    • Select unlocked cells — users can click and edit unlocked cells.
    • Format cells, Insert rows, Delete rows, etc. — check the actions you want to permit.
  6. Click OK. If you set a password, re-enter it to confirm.

2. Unlock Specific Cells Before Protecting ​

Allow editing of certain cells (e.g., input fields) while locking the rest.

  1. Select the cells you want to remain editable.
  2. Press Ctrl+1 to open Format Cells.
  3. Go to the Protection tab.
  4. Uncheck Locked.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Now protect the sheet (Step 1 above). Only the unlocked cells can be edited.

3. Protect an Entire Workbook Structure ​

Prevent users from adding, deleting, renaming, or reordering sheets.

  1. Go to the Review tab.
  2. Click Protect Workbook.
  3. Check Structure (prevents sheet changes).
  4. Optionally enter a password.
  5. Click OK.

4. Unprotect a Sheet or Workbook ​

Remove protection to allow full editing again.

Sheet:

  1. Go to the Review tab.
  2. Click Unprotect Sheet.
  3. Enter the password if one was set.

Workbook:

  1. Go to the Review tab.
  2. Click Protect Workbook (toggle — it will unprotect if currently protected).
  3. Enter the password if one was set.

Troubleshooting ​

DANGER

Sheet protection is not a security feature — it prevents accidental edits but can be bypassed by determined users. Do not rely on it to protect sensitive or confidential data.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Cannot type in a cell; error says "protected"The sheet is protectedAsk the sheet owner to unprotect it, or check if you should be editing an unlocked cell instead.
Forgot the sheet protection passwordPassword was set and lostThere is no built-in recovery. Contact the person who set the password.
Cannot add or delete sheetsWorkbook structure is protectedGo to Review > Protect Workbook and enter the password to unprotect.