How to Protect an Excel Workbook from Editing (5 Methods)

Method 1 – Use the ‘Open as Read-Only’ Feature to Protect a Workbook from Editing

Steps:

• Go to the File tab.

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

This will shift your Excel workbook to Read-Only mode. When someone else will try to open the Excel file, it will show the following dialog box:

Hitting Yes to proceed with the Read-Only mode. But hitting No will enable editing the workbook.

Read More: Protect and Share Excel Workbook

Method 2 – Encrypt with a Password to Protect an Excel Workbook from Editing

Steps:

• Go to File.

Go to Info ➤ Protect Workbook ➤ Encrypt with Password.

• Insert a password in the Encrypt Document dialog box.

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

When you re-open the Excel workbook, you must insert a password in the Password dialog box.

Method 3 – Use a Protect Workbook Structure to Protect a Workbook

Steps:

• Go to File.

• Go to Info ➤ Protect Workbook ➤ Protect Workbook Structure.

• Insert a password in the Protect Structure and Win dialog box.

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

This will encrypt your Excel workbook with a password. If you want to unlock your Excel workbook,

• Go to the Review tab.
• Click on Protect Workbook.

• Insert your password into the Unprotect Workbook dialog box.
• Press OK.

This will unprotect the Excel workbook, and you will have access to the editing.

Method 4 – Use the Protect Workbook Command

Steps:

• Go to the Review tab.
• Click on Protect Workbook.

•  Insert a password in the Protect Structure and Win dialog box.

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

This will encrypt your Excel workbook with a password and protect it from editing.

If you want to unlock your Excel workbook,

• Go to the Review tab.
• Click on Protect Workbook.

• Insert your password into the Unprotect Workbook dialog box.
• Press OK.

This will unprotect the Excel workbook, giving you access to the editing.

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

Method 5 – Use ‘Mark as Final’ to Protect a Workbook from Editing

Steps:

• Go to File.

• Go to Info ➤ Protect Workbook ➤ Mark as Final.

• A small dialog box will appear. Press OK.

Excel will automatically mark your Excel workbook as a final version.

When someone else tries to open the workbook, Excel will show the following warning box.

To proceed,

• Press OK.

If you want to edit the workbook further, click Edit Anyway.

Excel will allow you to edit the workbook.

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

Related Article

• How to Mark Workbook as Final in Excel

<< Go Back to Protect Workbook in Excel | Excel Protect | Learn Excel