How to Lock Cells in Google Sheets
This guide offers a straightforward, step-by-step process for locking cells in Google Sheets, ensuring that sensitive or critical data remains intact and unaltered by unauthorized users. By following these instructions, users can easily protect specific cells while still allowing designated individuals to make edits as needed. This functionality is essential for collaborative work environments where data integrity is crucial. Whether you're managing a team project or maintaining financial records, this guide will help you secure your spreadsheet effectively.
13 steps
|
2 minutes
Google Sheets
1
Sign in to your Google account and go to <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets>
2
Select and right-click the cell or cells you want to lock.
3
Scroll down to the bottom of the dropdown menu and hover the cursor over “View more cell actions”. Then, click "Protect range"
4
Click "Add a sheet or range" in the side panel to the right.
5
By default, Google Sheets will include the cell or cells you selected before.
6
You can add more cells by clicking on the grid icon to the right.
7
Select the range of cells you want to lock. Automatically, they will appear in the side panel to the right.
8
Click "Ok" to confirm the range of cells (or cell) you want to lock.
9
Click "Set permissions" to choose who will be able to edit the cell or cells you are locking.
10
You can restrict who can edit the range you selected. By default, you will see the “Only you" option. You can click on it to see more.
11
Click “Custom” to choose who has permission to edit the range of cells you are locking.
12
Click the "Enter names or email addresses" field to add the person or a variety of people who have permission to edit the locked cells.
13
Click "Done" to save the range editing permissions.