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Step 1 - What will it Protect ?

By default all cells will be protected when a worksheet is protected.

It is possible to allow certain cells not to be locked by using the (Format > Cells)(Protection tab) Locked checkbox.

You can prevent a user from changing the structure of a workbook and to lock in the position of the workbook window itself.

Protecting a workbook not only will protect all the worksheets within it but will also prevent any changes to the way the workbook window is displayed.

If you are working with sensitive data it is possible to include an even greater level of security to passwords.

In addition to assigning a general password which is needed to open the workbook you can also assign a different password that is needed to actually modify the workbook.

Step 2 - Protecting a workbook

You can protect an individual worksheet by selecting (Tools > Protection > Protect Workbook).

Structure - This prevents any worksheets from being added, renamed, deleted, copied, inserted or displayed.

Windows - This prevents any windows from being resized, unhidden, moved or closed. The control menu in the top right corner will actually disappear.

Step 3 - (Tools > Options)(Security tab)

You can prevent other people from opening a workbook and/or modifying it by assigning a password to it.

The easiest way to save a workbook with password protection is to select (Tools > Options)(Security tab).

You can enter a password to open the workbook and it is also possible to enter a different password to be able to modify the file.

Step 4 - (File > Save As)(Tools > General Options)

You can also assign password protection from the (File > Save As) dialog box.

Press the Tools drop-down button and choose "General" options.

Always create backup - Saves a backup copy each time you save the workbook. For more details please refer to the Saving Workbooks page.

Password to Open - Type a password in the Password to open box to prevent others from opening a workbook without the password. A password is case sensitive and can contain up to 15 characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols. If you lose the password, you cannot open the workbook.

Password to Modify - Type a password in the Password to modify box to prevent another user from opening, making changes in, and saving the workbook without a password. If someone opens the workbook as read-only and changes it, it must be saved with a different name. A password is case sensitive and can contain up to 15 characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols. If you lose the password, you cannot open the workbook.

Read-only recommendation - Recommends that others open a workbook as read-only. If someone opens the workbook as read-only and changes it, it must be saved with a different name.

After the read-only option has been set anyone who opens the file will receive a prompt asking them to open the file as read-only.

Unfortunately the prompt does not enforce the read-only. Any changes made can be saved to a new file with a different name.

You can prevent other people from modifying your workbook(s) by password protecting them. Enter a password in the "Password to modify" field. The workbook can be opened as "read-only" without the password.

You can have a maximum number of 15 characters

Step 4 - Opening a Protected Workbook

If the Workbook you are opening had a "Password to Modify" allocated to it you will be prompted by a further dialog box.

Passwords are case sensitive. You must type uppercase and lowercase letters exactly as they were entered when the password was created. Before you open a workbook that requires a password, make sure you have not pressed the CAPS LOCK key.

Any commands that are unavailable due to the workbook being protected are disabled (i.e. greyed out).

Step 5 - UnProtecting a Workbook

To remove protection select (Tools > Protection > Unprotect Workbook). If prompted, enter the password. (If you are prompted for a password and you do not know the password, you cannot remove protection.)

Step 6 - Things to Remember

To protect a workbook without protecting the windows, point to Protection on the Tools menu, click Protect Workbook, and then clear the Windows check box.

Passwords are case-sensitive and can have up to 15 characters. Before you open a workbook that requires a password, make sure you have not pressed the CAPS LOCK key.

If you hide a worksheet and then protect the workbook, the (Format > Sheet > Unhide) command will be disabled.