How To Lock Specific Cells in Excel

When one tries to lock cells in Excel, all the cells are locked by default.

What if you want to lock only a given number of cells without affecting the other cells. Here is the procedure:-

1. Select the entire sheet ; Click on the empty space above Row 1 (1) as shown below

2. Right Click the empty space shown above, Click on Format

3. Go to the last Tab - Protection

4. You will see two check boxes: "Locked" and "Hidden"

5.Uncheck the "Locked" check box; Press OK.

By doing this you have actually unlocked the entire sheet. Next we will lock the required cells.

1. Now select the cells you want to protect.

2. Right Click the empty space shown above, Click on Format

3. Go to the last Tab - Protection

4. You will notice that both the check boxes are Unchecked

5. Check the "Locked" check box; Press OK. So now you have locked the required cells.

Now you have to Protect the sheet. To do this :

1. Go to Tools » Protection

2. Fill Password twice: Press OK.

You are done. Try to type in the Protected area; you will receive an error message.

Suggestion:
To identify which cells are protected either put border or highlight the cells