WPS Allow Edit Area is a worksheet permission control feature in WPS Spreadsheets for macOS; it includes 4 core tasks, with 4 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 4 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 4 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index |
| Membership limit | None | This feature can be used directly |
| Version limit | None | Using the latest WPS Office for Mac is recommended |
About This Feature
Overview
Allow Edit Area lets you define editable ranges with separate range passwords inside a protected worksheet, so you can manage editing permissions more precisely for different parts of the same sheet.
Core capabilities include:
- Create an allow edit area: Open editing access for a selected cell range.
- Set permissions for multiple ranges: Assign different passwords and editable scopes to different ranges.
- Use it with worksheet protection: Keep selected ranges editable after the worksheet is protected.
- Manage passwords separately: Range passwords can be different from the worksheet protection password.
This feature is useful for shared templates, team-based data entry, section-based forms, and controlled updates in structured worksheets.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A macOS device that can run WPS Office normally |
| App version | The latest WPS Office for Mac is recommended |
| Network | No mandatory internet connection is required for local allow edit area settings |
| Other | Open the worksheet in WPS Spreadsheets; before creating a new allow edit area, the current worksheet should not be protected |
Download & Installation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Installation method | Download WPS Office for Mac, complete the installation, and launch the app |
| Post-install check | Open WPS Spreadsheets and confirm that the related Allow Edit Area entry is available on the Review tab |
Source: WPS Download Center
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | In an unprotected worksheet, WPS lets you create allow edit areas, assign separate passwords to selected cell ranges, and keep those ranges editable after the worksheet is protected. | Excel supports locking or unlocking specific cells and ranges in a protected worksheet, and it also supports Allow Edit Ranges with optional passwords or user permissions for selected ranges. | Google Sheets supports protected sheets and ranges and can leave certain cells editable in a protected sheet, but its official help states that protected data cannot be secured with a password. | Notion mainly provides page, teamspace, and database sharing permissions for collaborative content, rather than cell-range password control in a spreadsheet grid. | Adobe Acrobat mainly provides PDF password protection and document permission controls, rather than editable cell-range management inside a worksheet. |
| WPS Advantages | Advantage: Set editable worksheet ranges directly inside the spreadsheet interface. Distinct: Range passwords can be managed separately from the worksheet protection password for section-based collaboration. | Compared with WPS: Excel offers a closely related capability, but its workflow is centered on protected worksheet settings and user permissions in the Microsoft environment. | Compared with WPS: Google Sheets focuses more on online sharing permissions and protected ranges, but the official help says protected data cannot use passwords. | Compared with WPS: Notion is stronger for page sharing and workspace access control, but it is not designed for editable spreadsheet cell ranges with separate passwords. | Compared with WPS: Adobe is designed for PDF document protection and permission settings, not worksheet section editing inside a spreadsheet. |
| Official Source | — | Lock or unlock specific areas of a protected worksheet | Protect, hide & edit sheets | Sharing & permissions settings | Add passwords to PDFs in Acrobat |
Overall Conclusion
If you need to keep different sections editable inside one protected worksheet, WPS Allow Edit Area fits that spreadsheet workflow well. Microsoft Excel also provides a closely related range-based protection model, while Google, Notion, and Adobe focus more on sharing permissions, page access, or document-level protection.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable for | Main challenge | How this feature helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department-based data entry | Admin, finance, HR teams | Multiple people fill in one worksheet and may edit the wrong section | Create separate editable ranges with different passwords |
| 2 | Controlled template input | Template owners, analysts | Formulas and layout must stay protected while input cells remain editable | Protect the worksheet while keeping selected input ranges editable |
| 3 | Multi-role collaboration | Project managers, team members | Different roles need access to different worksheet sections | Assign separate editable ranges and passwords by section |
| 4 | Repeated data updates | Operations, sales teams | Reused templates can be changed accidentally over time | Lock most cells and leave only update areas editable |
| 5 | Internal approval forms | Managers, reviewers | Approval comments and base data need separate control | Use multiple editable ranges for section-based editing |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Capability | Free users | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Allow Edit Area | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Basic worksheet protection | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Basic PDF features | ✅ Available | ✅ Available with broader PDF feature access |
| Cloud storage | 1 GB | 20 GB shown on the pricing page |
| Template downloads | Limited | More advanced templates and additional benefits |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Usage scenario | Recommended plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday worksheet section editing | Free | Allow Edit Area itself is available directly for regular permission control |
| More cloud storage and broader office features | WPS Premium | Suitable if you also need more cloud storage, templates, and additional office capabilities |
How to Subscribe
- WPS membership center: Subscribe now
Source: WPS Office pricing page