How to Use WPS Protect Worksheet on Windows

Use Protect Worksheet through 4 how-to topics, including turning protection on, choosing allowed actions, removing protection, and making locked cells take effect; 4 items are available without membership and 0 are membership-related.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Turn on worksheet protection

Entry: Review tab → Protect Worksheet

1. Open the worksheet you want to protect.
2. Click Protect Worksheet on the Review tab.
3. Enter a protection password in the dialog box.
4. Select the actions that users are allowed to perform.
5. Keep at least Select unlocked cells enabled, then click OK.
6. Confirm the password again to finish the setup.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The command changes to Unprotect Worksheet or the worksheet enters a protected state.
• What you can do next: Unauthorized areas can no longer be edited directly.

Tips While Using

• Keep the password in a safe place because the protection cannot be removed without the correct password.
• Locked-area restrictions only take effect after worksheet protection is enabled.

2. Choose allowed user actions

Entry: Review tab → Protect Worksheet

1. Click Protect Worksheet to open the settings window.
2. Review the list under Allow all users of this worksheet to.
3. Select the actions you want to keep available, such as selecting cells, sorting, or using filters.
4. Enter the password and confirm the settings.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: After protection is enabled, only the selected actions remain available.
• What you can do next: Users can continue working within the allowed range of actions.

Tips While Using

• Actions that are not selected will be restricted while the sheet is protected.
• If you need sorting or filtering, confirm those options before turning protection on.

3. Remove worksheet protection

Entry: Review tab → Unprotect Worksheet

1. Open the protected worksheet.
2. Click Unprotect Worksheet on the Review tab.
3. Enter the password used when protection was set.
4. Click OK to remove protection.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The worksheet returns to an editable state.
• What you can do next: Previously restricted editing actions become available again.

Tips While Using

• You must enter the correct password to remove protection.
• If editing restrictions are no longer needed, save the file after removing protection.

4. Make locked cell settings take effect

Entry: Set locked cells first, then use Protect Worksheet on the Review tab

1. Select the cell range that should stay editable or locked.
2. Adjust the locked-cell status based on your needs.
3. After the range settings are ready, click Protect Worksheet.
4. Enter the password and confirm protection.
5. Test whether editable and restricted areas match your expected result.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The intended areas stay editable while other locked areas cannot be edited, or the reverse based on your setup.
• What you can do next: The worksheet can be filled in or reviewed according to the preset permissions.

Tips While Using

• If you only set locked cells without enabling worksheet protection, the restriction will not take effect.
• It is a good idea to test the editing permissions before sharing the file.