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.

How to Enter Data into a cell using the Formula Bar

In this tutorial I will teach you how to enter data into a cell within an Excel 2010 worksheet using the formula bar.

This is a very basic tutorial, but I want to ensure that everyone understands this so they can follow along with my future tutorials.

For this tutorial you will need a workbook open within Excel 2010.

There are two basic ways two enter data in Excel 2010:

1. Typing into the cell
2. Formula bar

Both of these ways provide the same result. They both have their advantage and disadvantage. If all you want to do is type one value or a short value then you will mostly like just select the cell you want and start typing. However, if you want to enter a lot of data or enter a formula you might like the formula option because it allows you to see more of what you are entering.

For the purpose of this tutorial we will use the second option of entering the data into the formula bar.

Step 1: Select a cell within the Excel 2010 workbook.

It doesn't matter which cell it is. For the purpose of my tutorial I chose the very first cell A1.

Notice the black outline where column A meets row 1 this is cell A1. That black outline tells you which cell is selected.

Step 2: Select Formula Bar 

The formula bar is outlined in red below. Left click inside the white area of the formula bar and you will see the cursor appear as seen below in the red outlined area.

Step 3: Enter data into the formula bar

Type anything you want. It doesn't matter for the purpose of this tutorial I typed the number 1.

Notice is this picture you see the keyboard cursor to the right of the number 1 that I entered already. This is just saying that if you keep typing it will keep adding whatever you type to that cursor location.

Congratulations, you have entered data into a a cell within an Excel 2010 worksheet.  Feel free to check out my Cell Tutorials and my Formula Tutorials .

Cell Tutorials

Welcome to my Excel 2010 Cell Tutorials. Here is a list of all the Excel 2010 Cell Tutorials I have created so far.

1. How to Enter Data into a Cell
2. How to Enter Data into a Cell using the Formula Bar

How to Enter Data into a Cell

In this tutorial I will teach you how to enter data into a cell within an Excel 2010 worksheet.

This is a very basic tutorial, but I want to ensure that everyone understands this so they can follow along with my future tutorials.

For this tutorial you will need a workbook open within Excel 2010.

There are two basic ways two enter data in Excel 2010:

1. Typing into the cell
2. Formula bar

Both of these ways provide the same result. They both have their advantage and disadvantage. If all you want to do is type one value or a short value then you will mostly like just select the cell you want and start typing. However, if you want to enter a lot of data or enter a formula you might like the formula option because it allows you to see more of what you are entering.

For the purpose of this tutorial we will use the first option of just selecting the cell we want and start typing.

Step 1: Select a cell within the Excel 2010 workbook.

It doesn't matter which cell it is. For the purpose of my tutorial I chose the very first cell A1.

Notice the black outline where column A meets row 1 this is cell A1. That black outline tells you which cell is selected.

Step 2: Enter data

Type anything you want. It doesn't matter for the purpose of this tutorial I typed the number 1.

Notice is this picture you see the keyboard cursor to the right of the number 1 that I entered already. This is just saying that if you keep typing it will keep adding whatever you type to that cursor location.

In the blue outlined area is the Name Box. By default the name box displays the selected cell.

In the red outlined area is the formula bar. Notice that in the formula bar that number one is also shown, but without the keyboard cursor. The formula bar will always show the value of the cell unless the value of the cell is the result of an equation.

Congratulations, you have entered data into a a cell within an Excel 2010 worksheet.  Feel free to check out the rest of my Cell Tutorials.