User permissions in "Allow Edit Ranges" not applying correctly

Question

Allow Edit Ranges is not working correctly when given multiple ranges and permissions.

One way to reproduce the weird behaviour:

Range1 is a permission to edit E column for my account.

Range2 is a permission to edit F column for another person.

Range3 denies my account from editing F column without a password.

After I protect the sheet with these Excel allows me to edit column F even when I specifically denied it.

Even if I set password for Range3 it doesn't even ask me that, just allows straight editing column F.

If I delete Range3 and protect the sheet again I still can edit both columns E and F, yet I should have only permission for column E.

Other columns are protected as they should.

Answer 1

Hello,

There are possible reasons why you're experiencing this issue with the protected worksheet. It may be caused by the level of protection on the said file. For us to help you with your concern, try to check this article. After opening the said article, scroll down to Unlock ranges on a protected worksheet for users to edit. Follow the steps provided and see if you'll experience the same issue.

If you have any questions, feel free to post it here and we'll be happy to assist you.

If you think this was helpful, do not hesitate to "mark it as answer" to help those who are facing the same problem.

Answer 2

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. I protected the sheet as per the instructions on your link provided but the same problems persist; account specified in Range1 and Range3 can still edit both columns. However I found out that if I set a password for every range it somehow fixes the issue and starts asking a password for column F like it should according to Range3. If I set a password only for Range3 Excel doesn't ask for it like it should. So the workaround for now seems to be to set a password for every range created although I'd prefer not have to set passwords. I tried reproducing this on different machines and noticed that the same problem plagues our whole organization.