How do I Unlock a Cell in Excel That Is Password Protected?
Each cell in an Excel 2010 worksheet can either be locked or unlocked, which controls how the cell responds to the basic Excel security program. When a cell is locked, the cell cannot be altered if the Excel worksheet is password protected. When a cell is unlocked, it can be altered and manipulated regardless of whether the worksheet is protected. In order to unlock a cell, the worksheet itself first has to have its password protection removed.
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Instructions
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Click on the "Review" tab on the ribbon at the top of the Excel window.
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Select "Unprotect Sheet" from the list of button on the ribbon. Enter the password for the Excel worksheet in the pop-up window and then click "OK."
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Click on the cell that you want to unlock. Right-click that cell and choose "Format Cells" from the pop-up menu.
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Select the "Protection" tab in the "Format Cells" window. You will see a check mark next to "Locked" at the top of the window. Click on that check mark to remove it and then click "OK."
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Tips & Warnings
Once the cell is unlocked, you can protect the worksheet again by clicking "Protect Sheet" at the top of the Excel window and entering in a new password. The rest of the sheet will go back to being protected but the unlocked cell will be able to be changed.
