Microsoft Excel is a popular spreadsheet application used by professionals and individuals alike. It is widely used for various purposes, from accounting to data analysis. One of the most important things one can do to protect Excel files is to apply protection to them. This can be important especially if the data in the workbook is sensitive or confidential. In this article, we will discuss various ways to protect Excel workbooks and how to apply them.
How to Protect Workbook (Workbook Level Protection) in Excel File
Workbook protection is a security feature that protects the entire workbook against unauthorized access, modifications, or even viewing. It is one of the best ways to prevent unauthorized access to your data. To apply workbook protection, follow these steps:
- Open the Excel workbook that you want to protect.
- Click on the “Review” tab on the ribbon and select “Protect Workbook” in the “Changes” group.
- Select “Protect Structure and Windows” option. You can also set a password for the workbook by entering a password in the “Password to protect workbook modifying” field.
- Click “OK” to apply the protection.
Once the workbook protection is applied, users will not be able to rename, delete, or add sheets, view hidden sheets, or modify the workbook in any way. However, the users will still be able to save changes to cells, sort and filter data, and make basic formatting changes.
How to Protect Workbook (Workbook Level Protection) in Excel File with Password
In some cases, you may want to apply workbook protection with a password. This will prevent unauthorized users from accessing the data in the workbook. To apply workbook protection with a password, follow these steps:
- Open the Excel workbook that you want to protect.
- Click on the “Review” tab on the ribbon and select “Protect Workbook” in the “Changes” group.
- Select “Protect Structure and Windows” option. Enter a password in the “Password to protect workbook modifying” field.
- Click “OK” to apply the protection.
Once the password is set, users will need to enter the password to open the workbook and make any changes to it. Be sure to use a strong password that is difficult to guess or crack. A strong password is one that contains a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
How to Protect Excel Workbook with Different Levels of Protection
Excel provides three levels of protection to protect workbook and worksheet contents. These levels are:
- Sheet Level Protection
- Workbook Structure Protection
- Workbook Level Protection
The sheet level protection is used to protect specific cells or columns from being edited, deleted or edited. The workbook structure protection is used to protect the workbook structure like the insertion of a new sheet, deletion of sheet and changing the order of sheet arrangement. The workbook level protection can be used to protect the entire workbook against unauthorized access and modifications.
Protecting Excel Files from Being Opened, Edited, or Copied
Excel workbooks can be protected from being opened, edited, or copied using various methods. These methods include:
- Applying workbook level protection with a password.
- Setting a password to open the workbook.
- Using encrypted file formats like .xlsx or .xlsb.
- Converting the workbook to a PDF document.
- Using third-party software to apply additional layers of security.
By using these protection methods, you can prevent unauthorized access, modification, or copying of your Excel data. These methods are recommended especially when sharing sensitive or confidential data with other users.
FAQ
Q.1 How can users access protected Excel workbooks?
A.1 Users will need to enter the password to open or modify the protected Excel workbook. If they don’t know the password, they will not be able to access the data in the workbook.
Q.2 Can Excel workbooks be protected from being printed?
A.2 Yes, you can apply print protection to the Excel workbook. To apply print protection, follow these steps:
- Open the Excel workbook that you want to protect.
- Click on the “File” tab on the ribbon and select “Info”.
- Select “Protect Workbook” and click on “Restrict Access”.
- Select “Read-Only” and click on “Yes, Start Enforcing Protection”.
- Enter a password in the “Password to unprotect sheet” field and click “OK”.
Once the protection is applied, users will not be able to print the protected Excel workbook.
Conclusion
In conclusion, protecting Excel workbooks is an important step in ensuring the confidentiality and security of your data. Excel provides various protection mechanisms to protect your workbook and worksheet contents from unauthorized access, modifications, or copying. By applying these protection methods, you can protect your sensitive or confidential data from being misused. Be sure to use strong passwords and encrypt your files to maximize your data protection.
Video
Here’s a video tutorial on how to protect Excel workbooks: