Lesson 96 of 104 2 min Updated Completed

How to Protect a Sheet in Excel

Protect Sheet stops others from changing the cells on a worksheet. You decide what they’re still allowed to do, such as selecting cells or using filters.

  1. Right-click the Sheet1 tab and click Protect Sheet. (Or click Review > Protect Sheet.)

    Protect Sheet in the sheet tab's right-click menu

  2. Type a password. This example uses protect.

  3. Tick the actions other people may still do. To let them only view the sheet, leave everything except the two “Select” options unticked.

  4. Click OK.

    The Protect Sheet dialog box with a password and options

  5. Type the password again and click OK.

    Confirming the password

Now, anyone who tries to change a cell sees a message that the sheet is protected.

Unprotect the sheet

  1. Right-click the Sheet1 tab and click Unprotect Sheet.

    Unprotect Sheet in the right-click menu

  2. Type the password (protect) and click OK.

    Entering the password to unprotect the sheet

Note: Sheet protection stops accidental changes. It isn’t strong security. To keep a file private, password protect the file.

To protect only some cells, see How to Lock Cells.