Unprotecting a Workbook vs. Unprotecting a Worksheet

If you’d like to make structural changes to your workbook, like adding, moving, deleting, hiding, or renaming your worksheets, you’ll have to unprotect your workbook (as opposed to unprotecting a worksheet). Doing that unlocks the options to make the above-mentioned changes to your workbook.

In case you’re looking to modify the data in your worksheet, such as changing the content of a cell, you’ll have to unprotect your sheet. This allows you to add and remove content from your worksheet.

Unprotect an Excel Workbook

• To be able to make structural changes to your workbook, first, launch your spreadsheet with Microsoft Excel.
• In Excel’s ribbon at the top, click the “Review” tab.

On the “Review” tab, from the “Protect” section, choose “Protect Workbook.”

• If you didn’t use a password to protect your workbook, your workbook is now unprotected.
• In case you used a password for protection, then in the “Unprotect Workbook” box that opens, type that password and click “OK.”

Your workbook is now unlocked and you can add, remove, delete, hide, and rename worksheets in it. Enjoy!

Unprotect an Excel Worksheet

• To change the content of your cells in your worksheet, first, open your spreadsheet with Microsoft Excel.
• When Excel opens, in the ribbon at the top, select the “Review” tab.

On the “Review” tab, from the “Protect” section, choose “Unprotect Sheet.”

• If you didn’t use a password to protect your worksheet, your worksheet is now unlocked.
• In case you did use a password, then in the “Unprotect Sheet” box, enter your password and click “OK.”

Your worksheet is now unlocked and you can make whatever changes you want to it.