How to Lock Cells in Excel and Formatting Tips
Locking cells in Excel is a useful feature that allows you to protect important data from being accidentally modified or deleted. In this article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of locking cells in Excel.

How to Lock Cells in Excel
Step 1: Select the cells you want to lock.
Step 2: Right-click on the selected cells and choose “Format Cells” from the context menu.
Step 3: In the “Format Cells” dialog box, click on the “Protection” tab.
Step 4: Check the box next to “Locked” to lock the selected cells.
Step 5: Click on “OK” to close the dialog box.
Step 6: Go to the “Review” tab in the Excel ribbon.
Step 7: Click on “Protect Sheet” in the “Changes” group.
Step 8: In the “Protect Sheet” dialog box, choose the options you want to apply to the protected sheet.
Step 9: Enter a password if you want to prevent others from unprotecting the sheet.
Step 10: Click on “OK” to protect the sheet and lock the selected cells.
That’s it! Your selected cells are now locked and protected from being modified or deleted.
Tips for Locking Cells in Excel
- You can also use the “Format Cells” dialog box to unlock cells that have been previously locked.
- You can use the “Protect Workbook” option in the “Review” tab to prevent others from making changes to the entire workbook.
Additional Resources for Locking Cells in Excel
If you’re having trouble locking cells in Excel, there are a few additional resources you can use:
- Microsoft Support: Microsoft has a support article that explains how to lock cells in Excel.
- How-To Geek: How-To Geek has a helpful guide that explains how to lock cells in Excel.
- Excel Easy: Excel Easy has a step-by-step tutorial that explains how to lock cells in Excel.
Conclusion
Locking cells in Excel is a useful feature that allows you to protect important data from being accidentally modified or deleted. Just follow the step-by-step instructions outlined in this article, and you’ll be able to lock cells in Excel in no time. If you’re having trouble locking cells, don’t hesitate to reach out to the support resources provided by Microsoft or other tech-related websites.