how to protect a column in a spreadsheet

[andi]

I know you can hide columns and I know you can password protect a
spreadsheet. But is there a way to just protect one column in a spreadsheet?
I want the user to be able to see the values in, say, column B but not be
able to change anything in that column. Its a simple spreadsheet. Take
what's in column A, multiply by value in column B (don't want users to be
able to change this number) and put the final number in column C.

Thank you!

 

[Gary''s Student]

Just as you would protect individual cells:

Format > Cells... > Protection

but first select the column rather than just a cell.

 

[andi]

I could not get this to work. When I leave the sheet unprotected, the column
remains unprotected (even after format>cells> protection) and it tells me
that locking cells has no effect unless the worksheet is protected. So
then I protected the worksheet, no password required, can't edit any cells.
Any other ideas?

 

[Peo Sjoblom]

I think you misunderstood, first select the whole sheet, then do
format>cells>protection, then deselect locked, now select your column, do
the same but check locked. Finally password protect the sheet

 

[Darrell_Sarrasin via OfficeKB.com]

Peo is absolutly correct. With the lock thou what do you want to lock out?
each thing in the checkoff list protects a different thing.

I think you misunderstood, first select the whole sheet, then do
format>cells>protection, then deselect locked, now select your column, do
the same but check locked. Finally password protect the sheet

I could not get this to work. When I leave the sheet unprotected, the
column

[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]

 

[andi]

yes! thank you - that did it!

I think you misunderstood, first select the whole sheet, then do
format>cells>protection, then deselect locked, now select your column, do
the same but check locked. Finally password protect the sheet

 

[Gord Dibben]

By default, all cells are protected when sheet protection is enabled.

Hit CTRL + a(twice in 2003) to select all cells.

Format>Cells>Protection. Uncheck "locked" and OK out.

Select the cells you want protected and Format>Cells>Protection

Check "locked".

Tools>Protection>Protect Sheet. Note the options when protecting.

Supply a password and OK.

Excel's internal security is weak but this will prevent overwriting by accident.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP