Protecting a worksheet

In this tutorial you will learn how to to protect a worksheet using Excel 2010.

A protected worksheet allows the creator of the spreadsheet to specify which cells other users are allowed to select. Protected worksheets use locked and unlocked cells to determine which cells within the worksheet will be able to be selected by users.  Protected worksheets also uses numerous other attributes to determine how those cells can be modified by users. 

Here are a list of the following ways Excel 2010 worksheets can be protected:

Select Locked Cells

This option allows users to select and enter data into locked cells. If this option is selected then the Select Unlocked Cells option will automatically be selected.

Select Unlocked Cells

This option allows users to select and enter data into unlocked cells.

Format Cells

This option allows users to format any cells that are allowed to be selected.

Format Columns

This option allows users to format any columns that has selectable cells.  For this option to work the Format Cells option needs to be selected as well.  Only selectable cells within a column will be formated.

Format Rows

This option allows users to format any rows that has selectable cells.   For this option to work the Format Cells option needs to be selected as well.  Only selectable cells within a row will be formated.

Insert Columns

This option allows users to add a new column before a selected column.  For this option to work the all the cells within the selected row need to be selectable. 

Insert Rows

This option allows users to add a new row before a selected row.  For this option to work the all the cells within the selected row need to be selectable.

Insert Hyperlinks

This option allows users to add a hyperlink to any cell that is selectable while the worksheet is protected.

Delete Columns

This option allows users to remove a column from the worksheet.  For this option to work the entire column must be selectable.

Delete Rows

This option allows users to remove a row from the worksheet.  For this option to work the entire row must be selectable.

Sort

This option allows users to sort selected cells. For this to work you need to have at least two selectable cells.

Use AutoFilter

This option allows users to filter selectable cells. For this to work you need to have more than one selectable cell.

Use PivotTables reports

This option allows users to edit already created pivot tables. 

Edit Objects

This option allows users to add, edit or delete objects to a worksheet. This is one of the few areas where you can add items over unselectable cells.

Edit Scenarios

This option allows users to edit scenarios within a worksheet.