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Excel 365: How to Lock or Unlock Cells

Mitch BartlettFebruary 27, 2023 Comments (4)
Excel Header

Are you unable to modify cells because they are locked? Here’s how to lock or unlock cells in Microsoft Excel 365.

  1. Select the cells you wish to modify.
  2. Choose the “Home” tab.
  3. In the “Cells” area, select “Format” > “Format Cells“.
    Excel Format Cells option
  4. Select the “Protection” tab.
  5. Uncheck the box for “Locked” to unlock the cells. Check the box to lock them. Select “OK“.
    Excel locked settingAs the dialog box says, locking cells or hiding formulas has no effect until you protect the worksheet. You can do so under the “Review” tab by selecting “Protect Sheet“.

    Excel protect sheet


FAQ

Why is “Protect Sheet” grayed out?

If it’s a shared workbook, “Protect Sheet” may be grayed out. Unshare it by selecting “Review” > “Share Workbook“, then deselect “Allow changes by more than one user…“.

Otherwise, multiple worksheets are selected. Right-click any tab, then select “Ungroup Sheets“.

Categories: Office

Author Mitch Bartlett

Through my career that spans over 20 years I have become an expert in Microsoft Systems Administration, Android, and macOS. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful knowledgebase for everyone.

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Comments

  1. ruk thapa says:
    March 19, 2020 at 11:46 am

    This formula is not working. As i have been following this formula to lock the cell value or number which cannot be edited or changes anything in that cell but it is allowing to edit. Please help why this not working.??

  2. Jan Safran says:
    January 8, 2020 at 9:15 pm

    Thank you. It worked for me.

  3. Gordon Rettke says:
    November 5, 2018 at 11:57 am

    I followed very carefully but it ended locking all my cells rather than just the cells I chose.
    Also, the instructions needed another step at the very end.. It did not say what to choose from a long list
    of options.

  4. kanchan says:
    August 23, 2018 at 5:29 am

    I have locked my Filter lock in excel sheet

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My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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Last Updated on February 27, 2023 by Mitch Bartlett