How to Protect Cells in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel 2007
1. Open your spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.
2. Select any cells you do not want protected. Right click on them and click 'Format Cells.' You can skip this step if you will be protecting the entire sheet or workbook.
3. Select the 'Protection' tab. The 'Locked' option will automatically be checked, but the cell is not protected yet. Click on the box to remove the check mark so that group of cells will not be locked when you protect the sheet.
4. Click on the 'Review' menu. Look for the 'Changes' section on the right side and click 'Protect Sheet' to protect only that sheet or tab, or click 'Protect Workbook' to protect all of the sheets. The 'Protect' dialog box will open.
5. Select the attributes you want to restrict. If you would like to specify a password to unlock the sheet or workbook, you may do it here, but that is optional.
6. Click 'OK.' Your worksheet or entire workbook will be locked as you requested.
7. Click the 'Unprotect Sheet' or 'Unprotect Workbook' button to unlock the cells.
Microsoft Excel 1997-2003
8. Open your spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.
9. Select any cells you do not want protected. Right click on them and click 'Format Cells.' You can skip this step if you will be protecting the entire sheet or workbook.
10. Select the 'Protection' tab. The 'Locked' option will automatically be checked, but the cell is not protected yet. Click on the box to remove the check mark so that group of cells will not be locked when you protect the sheet.
11. Click on the 'Tools' menu, and then 'Protection.' Click 'Protect Sheet' to protect only that sheet/tab or click 'Protect Workbook' to protect all of the sheets. The 'Protect' dialog box will open.
12. Select the attributes you want to restrict. If you would like to specify a password to unlock the sheet or workbook, you may do it here, but that is optional.
13. Click 'OK.' Your worksheet or entire workbook will be locked as you requested.
14. Click on the 'Tools' menu, 'Protection' and 'Unprotect Sheet' or 'Unprotect Workbook' button to unlock the cells.