How can I protect an Excel file?

Protecting an Excel file is fairly straightforward, but before proceeding you need to decide whether you'll be protecting a single worksheet, or an entire workbook. After choosing your course of action, find your version below and proceed.

Warning: Protecting a single worksheet only covers that specific worksheet. Any other spreadsheets in the Excel file (workbook) will be left open and unprotected.

Excel 2003

For Excel 2003 and earlier versions, to protect a worksheet or workbook, go to Tools > Protection and select either Protect Sheet or Protect Workbook.

In this window select several additional options, depending on whether you are protecting a worksheet or workbook. In this window, you can also enter a password to protect the worksheet or workbook further. If you enter a password, you are prompted to enter the password again for confirmation.

Excel 2007

In Excel 2007 and later, the process is essentially the same, just with different tab names. To protect a worksheet or workbook, go to the Review tab and select eitherProtect Sheet or Protect Workbook.

Tip: To remove the protection from a workbook or worksheet, follow the same steps above. The options will now say "Unprotect" instead of "Protect."