Protect a Workbook in Excel

 

This example teaches you how to protect the workbook structure in Excel.

If you protect the workbook structure, users cannot insert, delete, rename, move, copy, hide or unhide worksheets anymore.

1. Open a workbook.

2. On the Review tab, in the Protect group, click Protect Workbook.

Click Protect Workbook

3. Check Structure, enter a password and click OK.

Protect workbook for Structure

Note: The Windows option is not available in Excel 2013 and later versions.

4. Re-enter the password and click OK.

Confirm Password

Users cannot insert, delete, rename, move, copy, hide or unhide worksheets anymore.

Worksheet Commands are Grayed out

Note: to unprotect the workbook, click Protect Workbook and enter the password. The password for the downloadable Excel file is "easy".