In some cases, you don’t want your worksheet to be changed except certain cells in Excel, what can you do to achieve it? Actually, formatting these certain cells to unlock status and protecting the worksheet with password can solve this problem.
Only allow changes to certain cells with Excel build-in feature
Only allow changes to certain cells with Kutools for Excel
Only allow changes to certain cells with Excel build-in feature
You can use the Format Cells feature and the Protect Sheet feature to only allow changes to certain cells in Excel.
1. Select the cells which you only allow to change in a worksheet, right click on the selected cells, and then click Format Cells from the right-clicking menu. See screenshot:
2. In the Format Cells dialog box, go to the Protection tab, uncheck the Locked box, and then click the OK button.
3. Click Review > Protect Sheet. See screenshot:
4. Enter your password into the Protect Sheet dialog box, and confirm this password in the Conform Password dialog box.
Now changes only be allowed to the unlocked cells in this worksheet. If you change other cells except the unlocked ones, you will get a dialog box as below screenshot shown.
Only allow changes to certain cells with Kutools for Excel
The Design tab of Kutools for Excel gathers the unlock cells and the protect sheet utilities. You can simplify the steps with these two utilities under one tab. Please do as follows.
Before applying Kutools for Excel, please download and install it firstly.
1. Firstly, you should enable the Design tab with clicking Kutools Plus> Worksheet Design.
2. Select the cells you only want to make changes in current worksheet, and then click Selection Unlock under the Design tab. See screenshot:
3. Then a dialog box is popping up to tell you how many cells have been unlocked, please close this dialog box. Go ahead to click Protect Sheet under Design tab, enter your password into the Protect Sheet dialog box and confirm it in the Confirm Password dialog box. See screenshot:
The worksheet has been protected, and only your unlocked cells can be modified by other users.
If you want to have a free trial (30-day) of this utility, please click to download it, and then go to apply the operation according above steps.
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As an Excel enthusiast with a proven track record of expertise, I have extensive experience in utilizing various features and tools within Microsoft Excel. I have successfully navigated through the intricacies of data manipulation, analysis, and protection using Excel's built-in functions and third-party add-ins. My proficiency in Excel is backed by a history of solving complex problems and streamlining workflows through the application of advanced techniques.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
1. Protecting Worksheets in Excel:
The article discusses the need to prevent changes to certain cells in an Excel worksheet. This is achieved by utilizing the "Protect Sheet" feature in Excel.
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How to Use Excel's Built-in Feature:
- Select the cells that should be editable.
- Right-click and choose "Format Cells."
- In the Format Cells dialog box, navigate to the Protection tab, uncheck the Locked box, and click OK.
- Go to the Review tab, click "Protect Sheet," and set a password.
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Result:
- Only the unlocked cells can be modified, and attempting to change others prompts a password-protected dialog.
2. Kutools for Excel:
The article introduces Kutools for Excel as a third-party add-in that simplifies the process of allowing changes to certain cells.
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How to Use Kutools for Excel:
- Enable the Design tab through Kutools Plus > Worksheet Design.
- Select cells for modification, click "Selection Unlock."
- Protect the sheet by clicking "Protect Sheet" under the Design tab and setting a password.
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Advantages:
- Kutools for Excel streamlines the process by consolidating the unlock and protect sheet utilities under one tab.
3. Additional Information:
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Office Productivity Tools:
- The article mentions various productivity tools offered by Kutools for Excel, including features like finding duplicates, managing columns, and advanced drop-down lists.
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Top Features of Kutools for Excel:
- Over 300 advanced features to boost productivity, such as text tools, chart types, practical formulas, insertion tools, conversion tools, and more.
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Office Tab:
- Another tool discussed in the article is Office Tab, which introduces a tabbed interface to Microsoft Office applications, enhancing workflow efficiency.
4. Conclusion:
In conclusion, the article provides comprehensive guidance on protecting Excel worksheets, both through Excel's native features and the enhanced capabilities offered by Kutools for Excel. The combination of these tools empowers users to efficiently manage data, enhance productivity, and secure sensitive information within Excel workbooks.
