How to protect Excel sheet with password

There are three main methods to encrypt password protection for Excel tables, which are suitable for different scenarios. 1. Encrypt the entire file: After opening the Excel file, click "File" > "Information" > "Protect Workbook" > "Encrypt with Password", enter the password and save, so that others must enter a password when opening the file to view or edit; 2. Protect a worksheet from being modified: Right-click the worksheet label and select "Protect Worksheet", set the password and select the actions allowed to users to perform, to ensure that the content is visible but cannot be changed at will; 3. Protect some cells from being edited: Select all cells to check "Lock", then unlock the cells that are allowed to be edited, and finally achieve local protection by protecting the worksheet and setting a password. It should be noted that the password is case-sensitive and cannot be restored, so it must be kept properly. At the same time, the operation paths of different versions of Excel may be slightly different.

It is actually not difficult to encrypt the password protection of Excel tables. The key is to be clear about what you are protecting. If you just don’t want others to change data casually, or don’t want others to see certain sensitive information, then setting a password is a practical and direct way.

The following is a few commonly used settings according to different usage scenarios.

How to encrypt the entire Excel file

If you want someone to enter a password when opening a file, you need to encrypt the entire file. This method is suitable for situations where you don't want others to easily view or edit the entire table.

The operation steps are as follows:

• Open the Excel file and click the File menu in the upper left corner.
• Select Information > Protect Workbook > Encrypt with Password.
• Enter the password you want to set and save after confirmation.

⚠️ Note: Once you forget this password, it cannot be recovered . Therefore, it is recommended that you save your password or record it with password management tools.

How to protect only a certain worksheet from modification

If you just want to prevent others from modifying a worksheet (such as formulas and formats you made) but allow them to view the content, you can only protect the worksheet.

How to operate:

• Right-click on the worksheet tab at the bottom and select "Protect Worksheet".
• Enter a password (optional), and select actions that allow the user to perform, such as selecting cells, sorting, etc.
• Save after confirmation.

In this way, when others open this table, they can see the content, but they cannot change it at will unless they know the password and cancel the protection.

? Tips: If you don’t set a password, it means there is no protection. So be sure to remember to set and remember your password.

How to protect some cells from editing

Sometimes we just want to protect some cells, such as locking the formula area, but allow others to fill in certain blank spaces. At this time, you can use it in combination with "lock cell" and "protect worksheet".

Specific operations:

• Select all cells, right-click to select "Format Cells" > "Protection" tab, and check "Lock".
• Then select the cell you want others to edit, right-click to set again, and cancel the "lock" state.
• Finally, protect the worksheet and set the password.

After setting this way, others can only edit the cells you allow, and other parts will be locked.

Some points that are easy to ignore

• Passwords are case sensitive, so be careful when entering.
• If you use Microsoft 365 online version, the settings are basically the same, but when saving, you need to confirm whether you are synchronized to the cloud.
• The menu locations of different versions of Excel may vary slightly, but the approximate path is "File>Information>Protect".

Basically, that's all, the operation is not complicated, but you must be clear about your protection goals when setting them up. Is it to prevent others from opening it? Or prevent others from modifying? Only by choosing the right method can you truly play a protective role.

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