How can I password protect a hidden column in Excel?

[Ira.Stoller]

I want to hide a few columns in a price list and password protect them. I
also want to password protect a group of non-hidden columns. I do not want
to password protect the entire sheet. Is this possible? Thanks.

 

[Don Guillett]

Why not put the "hidden" column(s) on a different sheet and protect it.

 

[Neil M]

This may work for you.

First, unhide the cells.

Then highlight the whole sheet. Now select format>cells>protection and
uncheck the box that says "lock cells"

Now highlight only the cells you want to protect follow the same path and
check the box for the cells you want.

With that done, select tools>protection>protect sheet.
In the box that come up there are several options on how to allow or prevent
others from performing certain tasks. With that done enter a simple password
that you are sure you won't forget and enter it in the "password to unprotect
sheet" box. I think you get another box asking you if you are sure and to
retype your password.

CAUTION: if you forget your password there is no way to retrieve it.

Neil M

 

[Dave Peterson]

If this price list is something that shouldn't be seen by other people, then
don't put it in excel--anywhere.

If you do put it in excel, then don't share the workbook.

If you share the workbook, your pricelist can be seen by anyone who has the
gumption to look.

 

[Don Guillett]

Password retrieval is not that difficult

 

[JE McGimpsey]

CAUTION: if you forget your password there is no way to retrieve it.

See

http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html

 

[Ira.Stoller]

It's on our VPN and is part of a macro-laden auto quote system that is used
by everybody within the company, so no, there are many advantages and no
disadvantages to using Excel. If anybody wants to hack into our VPN just to
get our pricing, God bless. You'll find it hardly worth the effort.

 

[Ira.Stoller]

Without going too deeply into the process, that would actually mean adding
eight sheets and would really complicate things. I'm researching internal
means to simplify our quoting system.

 

[Don Guillett]

then just protect the columns desired and protect the sheet.