How to Protect All the Sheets in a Workbook

Protecting a worksheet is different from password protecting the file. Using protection allows others to view your worksheet information but prevents unauthorized changes. You can protect the structure of your file so that others cannot edit what you have already designed. The other alternative is changing the workbook to read-only status. This makes the information in your spreadsheet viewable by others but prohibits the editing of the workbook.

Instructions

Microsoft Excel

1. Open your Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

2. Click the "Review" tab. Click the "Protect Workbook" button.

3. Click the checkboxes next to "Structure" and "Windows" to choose what part of the workbook you want to protect.

4. Enter a password. Click the "OK" button. Re-enter your password for accuracy. Click the "OK" button to exit. Save your file.

OpenOffice Calc

1. Open your OpenOffice Calc spreadsheet.

2. Click the "Tools" option on the top menu.

3. Click "Protect Document." Select the "Document" option.

4. Enter a password. Re-enter the password for accuracy. Click the "OK" button to save your password. Save your file.

Google Docs Spreadsheet

1. Log in to your Google Docs account. Open your spreadsheet.

2. Click the sheet name at the bottom of the spreadsheet. Click the "Protect sheet" option.

3. Click the radio button next to who is allowed to edit the worksheet.

4. Continue this process for every worksheet in your workbook. Save your file.

References

• "Excel Help"; Protect Worksheet or Workbook Elements; Microsoft; 2010
• "OpenOffice.org"; Protecting Cells from Changes; Oracle; 2010
• Google Docs: Collaborating: Protecting Sheets for being Edited