Protect a Workbook in Excel – 6 Methods

This is an overview.

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Download the practice workbook here:

Here’s the password- 12345.

Method 1 – Protect the Excel Workbook Using the Mark as Final Option

• Open the Excel file.
• Go to File>> Info>> Protect Workbook>> Mark as Final.

• In the dialog box, click OK.

• Excel will automatically mark the Excel workbook as a final version.
• A warning box will be displayed if someone tries to open the workbook.
• Click OK .

• To continue editing, click Edit Anyway.
• Excel will allow you to edit the workbook.

Method 2 – Protect the Excel Workbook with a Password

• Go to File>> Info>> Protect Workbook>> Encrypt with Password.

• Enter a password in the Encrypt Document dialog box and click OK.

• Re-enter the password in the Confirm Password dialog box and click OK.

• If you try to open your workbook, a password prompt is automatically displayed.
• Enter the password: 12345 and click OK.

Method 3 – Use the ‘Open as Read-Only’ Feature to Protect Workbook

• Go to File>> Info>> Protect Workbook>> Always Open Read-Only.

• The Excel workbook is in Read-Only mode. If someone tries to open the file, the following dialog box will be displayed.
• Click Yes to proceed with the Read-Only mode. Selecting No will enable editing the workbook.

Method 4 – Use the General Options to Protect the Excel File with a Password

• Click the File tab.

• Go to Save As>> Browse.

• In Save As, click Tools.
• Select General Options.

• Set a password to open the file.
• Set another password to modify the file. Here, 12345 in both fields.
• Click OK.

• Re-enter the password and click OK.

• Re-enter the password to modify the file and click OK.

• If you close the workbook, the password will be asked to open it.
• Enter the password to open the file.

• Enter the password to modify the file.
• Click OK.

Read More: [Fixed!]: Protect Workbook in Excel Not Working

Method 5 – Protect the Structure of an Excel Workbook

• Go to File>> Info>> Protect Workbook>> Protect Workbook Structure.

• Enter the password in Protect Structure and Windows dialog box and click OK.

• Re-enter the password.

• Double-click the name of the sheet you want to rename, and Excel will prompt you with the message below.

You can open the Excel file, but cannot add a sheet, change the name, or delete any existing sheets.

Method 6 – Using a VBA Code to Protect the Excel Workbook with a Password

• Press ALT + F11 to open Visual Basic.
• Click Insert and select Module.
• Enter the following code in the code editor and press F5 to run it.

• If you open the file again after running the VBA code, you will need to enter the password.

Read More: Difference Between Protect Sheet and Protect Workbook in MS Excel

How to Protect Specific Cells in an Excel Workbook

• Select the cell range you want to protect.
• Here, column B in the SalesRecordOf2021 worksheet.
• Right-click and select Format Cells.

• Go to Protection>> check Locked>> click OK.

• Go to the Review tab>> click Protect Sheet.
• Enter the password and enable “Protect worksheet and contents of locked cells”.
• Click OK.

• Re-enter the password and click OK.

• If you want to make any changes in column B, Excel will show you a warning message:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the 3 types of protection in Excel?

Answer: A workbook can be protected at the file or worksheet level in Excel. Excel provides three levels of password protection: password protection for opening files, password protection for changing data, and password protection for adding, deleting, or hiding worksheets.

Protect Workbook in Excel: Knowledge Hub

• Protect Excel Workbook from Editing
• Protect and Share Excel Workbook

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