What Is Protect Sheet In Google Sheets?
Protect sheet in Google sheets, as the name suggests, helps users protect or lock a cell, multiple cells or cell range. It is a useful feature for protecting our data in worksheets. Especially, when working with a team or if the data is required to be shared with different people, it is essential to protect or lock specific cells or the entire data. In such cases, we can use this protect sheet in Google sheets workbook.
For example, consider the below table showing values in column A.
Now, let us learn how to protect sheet in Google sheets.
To begin with, select the cell range which we want to protect and click on Data. Now, select Protect Sheets and Ranges and click on Set Permissions in the Protect Sheets & Ranges window.
We will be able to lock or protect the cell range, as shown in the below image.
In this article, let us learn how to use protect sheet in Google sheets with detailed examples.
Key Takeaways
- Protect worksheet in Google sheets helps users protect the worksheet or cell range.
- We need to set the correct cell range or worksheet we want to protect in the Protect Sheets and Ranges window.
- There are three methods to protect range in Google sheets. They are:
- Protect from the Data Tab
- Right-clicking on the cell directly
- Right-clicking on the sheet directly
- We can use of the three methods to view Protect Sheets and Ranges window to unprotect the cell, range or worksheet.
- Remember to click on the delete icon to unlock the sheet.
How To Protect A Sheet In Google Sheets?
There are two ways to protect sheets in Google sheets. They are:
- Protect from the Data Tab
- Right-clicking on the cell directly
- Right-clicking on the sheet directly
Method #1 – ProtectFrom The Data Tab
The steps to protect worksheet from the Data tab are:
Step 1: To begin with, insert the data and select the cell or cell range which we want to protect or lock. In case we want to protect the entire sheet, simply enter the data and name the sheet to avoid confusions.
Step 2: Click on the Data Tab. Select Protect Sheets and Ranges.
Step 3: The Protect Sheets & Ranges window appears on the right-end of the screen. It is as shown below.
Step 4: Now, if we want to protect a cell or cell range, we can find the options, Range and Sheet in the window.
Instead, if we want to protect the entire sheet, then, we will find the Add a sheet or range option.
Step 5: Select the desired cell or cell range or the entire sheet and click on Set Permissions.
Step 6: The Range editing permissions window pops up. Here we can add the list of people who can view and edit the sheet. After selecting or deselecting, we need to click on Done.
We will be able to see the selected sheet or cell range is locked with the symbol under the Protect Sheets & Ranges window.
Likewise, we can protect sheet in Google sheets from the Data Tab.
Method #2 – Right-Clicking On The Cell Directly
The steps to protect worksheet from right-clicking on the cell directly are:
Step 1: To begin with, insert the data and select the cell or cell range which we want to protect or lock. In case we want to protect the entire sheet, simply enter the data and name the sheet to avoid confusions.
Step 2: Right-click and in the list of options, scroll down and select View more cell actions.
Step 3: Next, select the Protect range option. The Protect Sheets & Ranges window appears on the right-end of the screen.
Using the steps we saw in the first method, we can protect or lock cell range or worksheet in Google sheets.
Method #3 – Right-Clicking On The Sheet Directly
The steps to protect worksheet from right-clicking on the sheet directly are:
Step 1: To begin with, insert the data and select the cell or cell range which we want to protect or lock. In case we want to protect the entire sheet, simply enter the data and name the sheet to avoid confusions.
Step 2: Right-click on the sheet. Select Protect sheet from the options.
Step 3: The Protect Sheets & Ranges window appears on the right-end of the screen.
Using the steps we saw in the first method, we can protect or lock cell range or worksheet in Google sheets.
Examples
Let us learn how to use protect sheets in Google sheets with the help of following examples.
Example #1 – Protect A Cell In Google Sheets
For example, consider the below table showing subject and marks in columns A and B, respectively.
Now, let us learn to lock or protect a cell in Google sheet with the following steps.
The steps to protect worksheet are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the workbook. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:B6. Next, select the cell or cell range which we want to protect or lock in Google sheets. In this example, we need to lock the cell E1.
Step 2: Right-click first. In the list of options, scroll down and select View more cell actions.
Step 3: Next, select the Protect range option.
Step 4: The Protect Sheets & Ranges window appears on the right-end of the screen. It is as shown below.
Step 5: Now, we need to click on Set Permissions.
Step 6: The Range editing permissions window pops up. Here we can add the list of people who can view and edit the sheet. In this example, let us select Only you and then, click on Done.
We will be able to see the cell range is locked with the symbol under the Protect Sheets & Ranges window.
Likewise, we can protect a cell in Google sheets.
Example #2 – Protect A Range In Google Sheets
For example, consider the below table showing name and marks in columns A and B, respectively.
Now, let us learn to lock or protect range in Google sheet with the following steps.
The steps to protect a range in worksheet are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the workbook. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:B6. Next, select the cell or cell range which we want to protect or lock in Google sheets. In this example, we need to lock the cell range A1:B6.
Step 2: Click on the Data Tab. Select Protect Sheets and Ranges.
Step 3: The Protect Sheets & Ranges window appears on the right-end of the screen.
Step 4: Now, click on Set Permissions. It is as done below.
Step 5: The Range editing permissions window pops up. Here we can add the list of people who can view and edit the sheet. In this example, let us select Only you and then, click on Done.
We will be able to see the selected sheet or cell range is locked with the symbol under the Protect Sheets & Ranges window.
Likewise, we can protect sheet in Google sheets from the Data Tab.
Example #3
For example, consider the below table showing subject and marks in columns A and B, respectively.
Now, let us learn to lock or protect a sheet in Google sheet with the following steps.
The steps to protect worksheet are:
Step 1: To begin with, we need to insert the data in the workbook. In this example, the data is available in the cell range A1:B5. Next, select the cell or cell range which we want to protect or lock in Google sheets. In this example, we need to lock the workbook.
Step 2: The Protect Sheets & Ranges window appears on the right-end of the screen.
Step 3: Now, we need to click on Set Permissions. It is as done below.
Step 4: The Range editing permissions window pops up. Here we can add the list of people who can view and edit the sheet. In this example, let us select Only you and then, click on Done.
We will be able to see the cell range is locked with the symbol under the Protect Sheets & Ranges window.
Likewise, we can protect a cell in Google sheets.
How To Unprotect A Sheet In Google Sheets?
Similar to protecting workbook, we can also unprotect workbook using the Protect Sheets & Ranges window. The steps to unprotect a sheet in Google sheets are:
Step 1: First, use one of the three methods to open Protect sheets & Ranges workbook.
Step 2: We will be able to see the list of protected cells, cell ranges and worksheets.
Click on the protection we want to unprotect and press the delete button.
Step 3: The ‘Are you sure you want to remove this protected range?’ window pops up. Click on Remove to unprotect the sheet.
Likewise, we can unprotect or unlock workbook in Google sheets.
Important Things To Note
- Protect worksheet in Google sheets is done to protect the sheet, cell or cell range.
- Similarly, users can also unprotect the workbook simply by pressing on the delete icon.
- Remember, we can easily add the required cell range or sheet number in the range or sheet tab in the Protect Sheets & Ranges window.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Consider the below table showing values in column A.
The steps to protect worksheet from the Data tab are:
1: To begin with, insert the data and select the cell range.
2: Click on the Data Tab and select Protect Sheets and Ranges.
3: The Protect Sheets & Ranges window appears on the right-end of the screen.
4: Now, click on Set Permissions.
5: The Range editing permissions window pops up. Click on Done.
We will be able to see the selected sheet or cell range is locked with the symbol under the Protect Sheets & Ranges window.
Likewise, we can protect sheet in Google sheets from the Data Tab.
We can change protection in Google sheets with the Protect Sheets & Ranges window. Simply select Set Permissions to change the number of participants we want to see and edit the workbook. Likewise, we can change the protection in workbook in Google sheets.
The reason why we are unable to change or edit data in a cell range is because, the data is protected or locked. We need to have the access for editing and therefore, we should ask the owner or the creator to grant access.
Download Template
This article must help understand the Protect Sheet In Google Sheets, with its formula and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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