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How to lock cells with Excel can be a challenge if you are not sure of how it works. But once you know how this feature works, you will be able to do the job properly with much ease. It is like magic!

Select All Cells

First, select all cells from the worksheet in Excel. In Excel 2020, you must first click on the Cell Tab, or double-click a cell if there is a drop down list or grid. Then, by default, Excel has each cell on an individual worksheet locked.

Select Data

So, if you want to lock a cell, you must first click on the “Data” tab. Now, under the Data tab, choose one of the buttons which indicates “Data”. Click on that button, then click OK.

Select Row or Column to Lock

Second step: The third step is to select the row or column that is going to be locked. If there are multiple rows or columns, then choose the first row or column. For Excel 2020, there is a drop down list on the data pane that lets you select the column or rows to be locked.

Select Rows Columns

Third step: Once you have selected the row or column to be locked, click on the “Rows”Columns” tab. You will see that there is a list of rows or columns on the worksheets. Select the selected rows or columns to be locked. Click on the “Lock” button to save these changes.

Select Data

Fourth step: The fifth step is to click on the “Data” tab. In this tab, go to the last row or column and click on the row which has the Data Range. The row is now locked.

Select Settings

Fifth step: The sixth step is to click on the “Settings” button. On the Settings menu, click the option “Advanced”.

Choose the Cell Range or Row

Sixth step: The seventh step is to choose the cell range or row which has to be locked. Click on the lock button and choose the lock button to save your changes.

Select Data Tab

Seventh step: The eighth step is to click on the “Data” tab. This tab has a section called “Data Range”.

Lock the Row

Eighth step: On this tab, go to the first row or column and click on the row to be locked. On the Data Range window, choose the lock button to lock the first row or column. Then, the data inside this row will be locked. Click on the lock button and choose the lock button to save these changes.

Select Settings

Final step: The ninth step is to click on the “Settings” button. In the drop down menu, select the option “Advanced”. Here, click on the option “Change”.

Select Column Range

After you have clicked the drop down menu, you will see that the dialog box will appear as a toolbar. Now, click on the drop down menu and click on the button which says “Column”Range”. Click on the lock button to lock the selected range.

Select Data Tab

Final step: The tenth step is to click on the “Data” tab. Click on the drop down menu and click on the tab that has the last row or column.

Select Settings

Finally, click on the “Settings” button. On the drop down menu, select the option “Advanced”.

Column Selection

On the drop down menu, click on the option “Column Selection” and on the final step click on the “Data Range” tab. Choose the option “Selection Options” and click on the button to select the last row or column.

Select Data Tab

Finally, click on the “Data” tab and then click on the option which says “Advanced” button. Finally, click on the “Cell Range” tab. Click on the lock button to lock the selected cells.

Conclusion

This method of how to lock cells in excel works for rows or columns but does not work for spreadsheets. So, if you are looking for how to lock cells and protect them in excel worksheet, you can use this technique.