How to password protect a few cells in a worksheet?

All cells in an Excel spreadsheet are locked by default. This makes it very easy to protect data by simply applying the PROTECT SHEET or PROTECT WORKBOOK option.

Unlocking selected cells permits changes to be made to these cells after the protect sheet/workbook option has been applied.

Step 1: Unlock Cells in Worksheet

1. Select cells which you don’t want to lock (Example – Cells B2 : E3 – See Image)
2. Click on the HOME tab.
3. Choose the FORMAT option on the ribbon to open the drop down list.
4. Click on LOCK CELL option. 
5. The LOCK CELL option works like an ON/OFF button. Since all cells are initially locked in the worksheet, clicking on the option has the affect of Unlocking the selected cells B2 : E3.


Step 2: Password Protect a Worksheet 

1. Click on the HOME tab.
2. Choose the FORMAT option on the ribbon to open the drop down list.
3. Click on PROTECT SHEET option to open the Protect Sheet dialog box.
4. Enter Password and Protect .