Cell Protection

[driver49]

How do I protect a range of cells within a worksheet? I can only find the option in the menus to protect the entire worksheet.

I want to protect certain cells so that I don't accidentally enter info into them. And I wouldn't mind if the unprotected cells could be made to have a different appearance (e.g. background pattern) than the protected cells...

--PS

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

All cells are locked by default, but the locking is only effective if the worksheet is protected. So you need to unlock the cells which can be changed (Format, Cells, Protection tab) then protect the worksheet.

 

[driver49]

Sorry, but I still don't get it.

By "default" you mean... what? It does not appear to me that a spreadsheet is protected by default.

So I go to the tools menu and select protection, but it doesn't seem to be doing any good, I can still input into any cell I want.

Sorry to be so dense but this is not obvious.

--PS

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

Right click a cell and choose Format Cells. On the Protection tab check Locked and click OK.

Choose Tools, Protection, Protect Sheet and click OK. You will not be able to enter data in the cell you just locked.

In a new workbook all cells are locked (that's what I mean by default). Perhaps you have unlocked all yours.

 

[driver49]

OK, I see how it works now... finally. Duh.

Thanks,

--PS