"Protect" doesn't protect

[Chuck Taylor]

I'm using 11.1.1, and even after I toggle individual cells for protection,
they are editable after I protect the sheet or entire workbook. Am I missing
something?

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Chuck-

All cells have a Locked property which is turned ON (checked) by
default. When you Protect Sheet, those cells whose Locked property is
OFF (unchecked) will remain editable. Those which have a check in the
Locked property will be protected. What you describe sounds like the
Locked property has been turned off for the cells of the sheet.
Otherwise *no* cells would be editable once you turn protection on.

Turn Protection OFF, select one of the cells which you think *should
not* be editable & go to Format>Cells>Protection to see if there is a
check in the Locked box. Adjust the property as necessary, and make
sure that the setting is correct in the dialog box that pops up when
you turn Protection on.

Another possibility (but I'm not at my Mac to check)... Does the
Tools>Protection menu have a listing for 'Allow users to edit ranges'
or anything like that? If so, that could be where the problem lies.

HTH |:>)

 

[Chuck Taylor]

OK, I think I figured it out. I was trying to protect the designated cells
by protecting the workbook, and it appears I have to _also_ protect the
sheet, so there is a hierarchy of protection: cell -> sheet -> workbook.
Protecting a workbook doesn't protect any cells unless their sheet is
protected, too.

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Chuck-

You're on the right track, as Protect Sheet is what you need to use for the
protection of its content. The hierarchical issue is not really valid, as
you _do not_ need to use Protect Workbook in order to protect any given
sheet(s), nor do you have to protect any sheets in a protected workbook.

Workbook protection prevents a user from adding or deleting sheets,
rearranging sheets in a book, and other more global aspects of the workbook,
itself. And you are correct, it _does not_ prevent changes to any
unprotected sheets, although it does prevent the sheet from being deleted
from the workbook.

Regards |:>)