How to unlock cells in Google Sheets and Excel

Have you ever tried editing a locked cell? A locked cell hinders the users from editing or adding any other dataset. Thankfully, Google Sheets allows one to unlock and edit the Cell (s). This article will discuss various ways of locking and unlocking cells in Google Sheets and Excel.

To unlock cells in Google Sheets

Methods that are used:

Using the Data tool

Using the Right-click feature

Using the Data tool

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Highlight the region you want to unlock.

2. On the menu bar, click the Data tab. From the drop-down menu, choose the Named Ranges option.

3. This will open a Named ranges pane on the right side of the screen. Locate the Lock name you want to get rid of.

4. Click on the Pencil-like icon.


5. Then, choose the Delete icon to unlock the cells.

Using the Right-click feature

Steps to follow:

1. Highlight the cells you want to lock.

2. Right-click on the selected cells and hover the cursor over the View cell more actions button.

3. Choose the Defined named range button.

4. From the side-view pane, click on the Pencil-like icon.


5. Then, choose the Delete icon to unlock the cells.

To lock Cell(s) in Google Sheets

To lock multiple cells

Steps to follow:

1. Highlight the cells you want to lock.

2. Right-click on the selected cells and hover the cursor over the View cell more Actions button.

3. From the side-view pane, choose the Protect range button.

4. Click the Add a range or sheet button on the right pane.

5. Then, enter the description of the Cell in the Description box. Then, click on the Set permissions button.

6. Choose who can edit the Cell from the dialogue box, and hit the Done button.

To unlock cells in Excel.

Here are the methods to use:

Using the Format tool

Using the Right-click feature

Using the Format tool

Steps to follow:

1. Highlight the region you want to unlock.

2. On the menu bar, click the Home tab. Locate the Format button.


3. From the drop-down menu, choose the Unprotect sheet option.

Using the Right-click feature

Steps to follow:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. Click on the Cell you want to lock.

3. Right-click and choose the format cell option.


4. From the dialogue box, click on the protection tab.


5. Uncheck the Locked checkbox.

To lock cells in Excel

To lock a Single Cell

Steps to follow:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. Click on the Cell you want to lock.

3. Click on the Home tab, hit the Format Cells drop-down button, and choose the Lock Cell option.

To lock the Entire Sheet.

Steps to follow:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. Click on the Cell you want to lock.

3. Click on the Home tab, hit the Format Cells drop-down button, and choose the Protect Sheet option.

4. Enter the locking password in the password section.

5. Using the Checkbox, check or uncheck the checkboxes in the Allow all users of this worksheet section.


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