Share via

Excel still asks for password after removing protection

Anonymous
2011-10-28T14:35:29+00:00

Original Title:"Sheet protection"

First of all, my knowledge of Excel is basic. 

I have the following problem: 

When I open a workbook in which some cells of one of its sheets are protected the application asks me for password. But I want the workbook to be able to be opened, what I don’t want is the protected cells to be manipulated. What is more, after having removed the protection the application still keeps asking for password. Is it supposed to be like that or is there something I’m doing wrong? I would be very grateful if someone is kind enough to clarify it for me.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2011-10-29T23:23:58+00:00

    There are two different passwords in play here.

    1. When you open a workbook and are asked for a password, that is the password which locks the file from being opened without the file password.
    2. When you password protect a worksheet for forms, that is an independent password that locks cells based on the locked property of the cells on the worksheet.

    So even though you entered the password to open the workbook, you still need to enter the (probably different) password to unlock the worksheet.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

3 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-30T15:01:22+00:00

    I get this on MAC asks for a password but on office 365 or older versions on PC it does not prompt for a password.. very strange

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-11-01T18:37:04+00:00

    Thank you very much. I think I understand now.

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-10-29T03:00:59+00:00

    Thank you for visiting Office for Mac forums.

    By default, when you protect a sheet, all the cells on the worksheet are locked, and users cannot make any changes to a locked cell.

    However, you can specify which elements that users will be able to change when you protect the worksheet.

    Refer to the following link for more help:

    http://mac2.microsoft.com/help/office/14/en-us/excel/item/8f3c156e-59b2-4212-ba65-f466f159778f?category=086c05b7-ca01-429a-85d4-bfd8dbdfb285

    0 comments