How to Lock Objects in an Excel Chart

1. Open Excel and the worksheet that contains the chart you want to lock.
2. Select any cells you don't want locked. In this case, highlight all of the cells because you only want to lock elements in your chart. Click-and-drag your mouse to highlight, or hold down 'Ctrl' on your keyboard while you click on each cell you don't want locked.
3. Click 'Format' in the 'Cells' group on the 'Home' tab and choose 'Format Cells.'
4. Click the 'Protection' tab, click the box next to 'Locked' to clear the check mark and click 'OK.'
5. Hold down 'Ctrl' on your keyboard and click each graphic object, including any parts of your chart, that you don't want locked.
6. Click the 'Format' tab and click the icon for the Dialog Box Launcher, which is located in the 'Size' group next to 'Size.'
7. Select the 'Properties' tab and click the check box next to 'Locked' to clear the check mark, then click 'OK.'
8. Click the 'Review' tab and click 'Protect Sheet' from the 'Changes' group.
9. Click the boxes next to 'Edit objects' under 'Worksheet Elements,' and 'Contents' and 'Objects' under 'Chart Sheet Elements' in the 'Allow all users of this worksheet to.' This prevents anyone from making changes to charts that you did not unlock.
10. Type a password in the box next to 'Password to unprotect sheet' and click 'OK.' Retype the password to confirm your entry.