Microsoft Office

Part IV
Using Advanced Excel Features
To unprotect a protected sheet, choose Review ➪ Changes ➪ Unprotect Sheet. If the sheet is protected with
a password, you’re prompted to enter the password.
Sheet protection options
The Protect Sheet dialog box has several options, which determine what the user can do when the worksheet
is protected.
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Select locked cells: If checked, the user can select locked cells using the mouse or the keyboard.
This setting is checked, by default.
Select unlocked cells: If checked, the user can select unlocked cells using the mouse or the keyboard.
This setting is checked, by default.
Format cells: If checked, the user can apply formatting to locked cells.
Format columns: If checked, the user can hide or change the width of columns.
Format rows: If checked, the user can hide or change the height of rows.
Insert columns: If checked, the user can insert new columns.
Insert rows: If checked, the user can insert new rows.
Insert hyperlinks: If checked, the user can insert hyperlinks (even in locked cells).
Delete columns: If checked, the user can delete columns.
Delete rows: If checked, the user can delete rows.
Sort: If checked, the user can sort data in a range (as long as the range doesn’t contain any
locked cells).
Use AutoFilter: If checked, the user can use existing autofiltering.
Use PivotTable reports: If checked, the user can change the layout of pivot tables or create new
pivot tables.
Edit objects: If checked, the user can make changes to objects (such as Shapes) and charts, as
well as insert or delete comments.
n Edit scenarios: If checked, the user can use scenarios (see Chapter 36).
When the worksheet is protected and the Select Unlocked Cells option is set, pressing Tab
moves to the next unlocked cell, making data entry much easier.
Assigning User Permissions
Excel also offers the ability to assign user-level permissions to different areas on a protected worksheet. You
can specify which users can edit a particular range while the worksheet is protected. As an option, you can
require a password to make changes.
This feature is rarely used, and the setup procedure is rather complicated. But if you need this level of protection,
setting it up is worth the effort to get it.
Start by unprotecting the worksheet if it’s protected. Then choose Review ➪ Changes ➪ Allow Users To
Edit Ranges, which displays the dialog box shown in Figure 31.4. Then follow the prompts in the series of
dialog boxes that follow. Make sure that you protect the sheet as the final step.
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