Microsoft Excel - locking cells

[clatter1201]

Hi, Is it possible to lock particular cells in a work sheet so that they
can't be overtyped? Hope someone can help. Thanks

 

[Trevor Shuttleworth]

By default, all cells are "locked". However, this doesn't have any effect
unless the worksheet is protected.

So, unlock the cells where you *do* want input and then protect the
worksheet with a password. If it is only to protect the calculations or
reference data from being inadvertently corrupted, you could have a blank
password to make it quicker if/when you want to unprotect the worksheet.

Format | Cells... | Protection tab| Lock/unlock cells

Tools | Protection | | Protect sheet... | input and confirm your password

Regards

Trevor

 

[Gord Dibben]

clatter

By default all cells in a worksheet are locked if Tools>Protection>Protect
Sheet is enabled.

You can select all cells by hitting CRTL + A then go to
Format>Cells>Protection and uncheck "Locked" and OK out.

Go back to the sheet and select just the cells you wish to be locked for
editing then Format>Cells>Protection. Check "Locked" and OK out.

Now Tools>Protection>Protect Sheet.

You can set a password to unprotect if your users are not too sophisticated.

There are password crackers out there easily obtainable, so do not rely on
that to protect really valuable data.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP