Change protection or passwords

Microsoft Office Excel 2003

previous page next page
  1. Switch to the protected worksheet.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Unprotect Sheet.
  3. If prompted type the current password, and then click OK.
  4. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Protect Sheet.
  5. In the Allow all users of this worksheet to list, make any changes you want to the elements users will be able to change.
  6. Type the password in the Password to unprotect sheet box.
  7. Click OK, and if prompted retype the password.

ShowChange the password for a range

  1. Switch to the protected worksheet.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Unprotect Sheet.
  3. If prompted type the worksheet password, and then click OK.
  4. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Allow Users to Edit Ranges.
  5. In the Ranges unlocked by a password when sheet is protected list, click the range for which you want to change the password.
  6. Click Modify, and then click Password.
  7. Type the new password for the range in the New password box.
  8. Type the same password in the Confirm new password box, and then click OK twice.
  9. Click Protect Sheet.
  10. Type the worksheet password in the Password to unprotect sheet box.
  11. Click OK, and then retype the worksheet password to confirm it.

ShowChange which users can edit which cells

  1. Open the workbook and switch to the protected worksheet.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Unprotect Sheet.
  3. If prompted type the worksheet password, and then click OK.
  4. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Allow Users to Edit Ranges.
  5. Do one or more of the following:

    ShowChange which users are allowed to edit a range

    1. In the Ranges unlocked by a password when sheet is protected box, click the range for which you want to change the users.
    2. Click Modify, and then click Permissions.
    3. Do one or more of the following:
      • To block a user temporarily from editing the range, click the user in the Name list, and then select the Deny check box for the user.
      • To unblock a user, click the user in the Name list, and then select the Allow check box for the user.
      • To remove a user permanently, click the user in the Name list, and then click Remove.
      • To add a new user, click Add, locate and select the new user, click Add, and then click OK.
    4. Click OK, and if prompted about denying users click Yes, and then click OK again.

    ShowChange which cells are included in a range

    1. In the Ranges unlocked by a password when sheet is protected box, click the range for which you want to change the included cells.
    2. Click Modify.
    3. In the Refers to cells box, type or select the new range, and then click OK.

    ShowRemove protection for a range

    1. In the Ranges unlocked by a password when sheet is protected box, click the range you want to delete.
    2. Click Delete.
  6. When you are finished making changes in the Allow Users to Edit Ranges dialog box, click OK.
  7. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Protect Sheet.
  8. Type the worksheet password in the Password to unprotect sheet box.
  9. Click OK, and then retype the worksheet password to confirm it.

ShowChange the protection or password for a workbook

  1. Open the protected workbook.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Unprotect Workbook.
  3. If prompted type the current password, and then click OK.
  4. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and then click Protect Workbook.
  5. If you want to change the protection, select the Structure or Windows check box, or both check boxes.
  6. Do one of the following:
    • To keep the same password, type it in the Password box.
    • To change the password, type a new password instead.
  7. Click OK, and if prompted retype the password to confirm it.

ShowChange the password for viewing or editing a workbook file

  1. Open the workbook.
  2. On the File menu, click Save As.
  3. On the Tools menu, click General Options.
  4. In the Password to open or Password to modify box, double-click the asterisks.
  5. Type the new password, and then click OK.
  6. When prompted retype the new password, and then click OK.
  7. Click Save.
  8. If prompted, click Yes to replace the existing workbook.

Notes

  • If you have protected a shared workbook with a password, you can't change the password without unsharing the workbook, which deletes the change history.
  • Use strong passwords that combine upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Weak passwords don't mix these elements. Strong password: Y6dh!et5. Weak password: House27. Use a strong password that you can remember so that you don't have to write it down.
previous page start next page