Have you ever had a file that you wanted to protect from prying eyes or accidental changes? Well, fear not as there are ways to protect your files from unwanted access or modification. In this article, we will explore how to protect Excel and RAR files as well as how to protect the formulas in Excel. We will also delve into how to protect applications on iPhones and iPads. So let’s get started!
Protecting Excel files
Microsoft Excel is one of the most popular spreadsheet software out there, used by professionals and students alike. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to protect your Excel files:
- Open the Excel workbook you want to protect.
- Click on the Review tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen.
- Click on Protect Workbook.
- Choose an option that suits your needs. For example: Password protect the workbook structure or protect the workbook for read-only access.
- Enter a password if necessary.
- Click OK and save your workbook.
Now your Excel file is protected and only those who know the password can access the workbook structure or modify it. But what if you only want to protect specific cells or formulas in your Excel file? Read on to find out.
Protecting formulas in Excel
If you have a workbook with formulas that you want to protect from accidental changes or deletion, follow these steps:
- Select the cells that contain the formulas you want to protect.
- Right-click on the selected cells and choose Format Cells.
- Click on the Protection tab.
- Check the option that says Locked. This will prevent changes to the selected cells.
- Click OK.
- Click on the Review tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen.
- Click on Protect Sheet.
- Choose the options that suit your needs. For example: Password protect the sheet or allow only certain users to edit the sheet.
- Enter a password if necessary.
- Click OK and save your worksheet.
Voila, only authorized users can prevent changes to the cells with protected formulas.
Protecting RAR files
If you’ve ever downloaded a file from the internet that came in a RAR format, you may want to protect it from being extracted or opened by unauthorized persons. Here’s how:
- Open WinRAR.
- Select the RAR file you want to protect.
- Click on the Add button.
- Click on Set Password.
- Enter a password and click OK.
- Click OK again and your file is now password-protected.
Now only those who enter the correct password can extract or open the RAR file.
Protecting applications on iPhones and iPads
If you have an iPhone or iPad, you may have apps that you don’t want anyone else to access or delete. Here’s how to protect them:
- Go to Settings.
- Go to General.
- Scroll down and select Restrictions.
- Tap Enable Restrictions and create a passcode.
- Scroll down to the Allowed Content section and tap on Apps.
- Choose the apps you want to lock and turn off their switch.
- Tap on Don’t Allow Changes and exit Settings.
Now the apps you chose are locked and can only be accessed or deleted by someone who knows the passcode.
FAQ
1. What happens if I forget the password for my Excel file?
If you forget the password for your Excel file, there’s unfortunately no way to recover it. You will have to create a new file and protect it with a new password. So make sure you remember your password or store it somewhere safe!
2. Can I protect multiple cells or ranges in Excel?
Yes, you can select multiple cells or ranges and protect them at the same time by following the same steps as protecting formulas in Excel. Simply select the cells you want to protect and follow the steps from step 2.
We hope this article has been helpful to you in protecting your files, formulas, and applications. Remember to keep your passwords safe and secure and to use protection methods that suit your needs. Stay safe and happy protecting!