Unprotect a Sheet in Excel (with or without the password)

Cells say “protected” when you try to type. Here is how to open them up.

Steps (you know the password)

1. Go to Review › Unprotect Sheet.
2. Type the password. OK.

If no password was set, the sheet unlocks immediately.

Check it worked

The button now reads Protect Sheet and you can type in any cell.

You don’t know the password

Excel has no recovery. Three honest options:

1. Ask the person who made the file. Fastest.
2. Copy the data out. Select all (Ctrl + A), copy, paste into a new workbook. Formulas and values come along; only the lock stays behind. Protection often blocks selecting — if so, try option 3.
3. Open the file in Google Sheets. Upload it to Google Drive, open with Sheets, then File › Download › Excel. Sheet passwords do not survive the trip.

Do this only for files you own or have permission to change.

Sheet vs workbook protection

Unprotect Sheet unlocks cells. If you cannot add or rename sheets, that is Review › Protect Workbook — click it to turn it off. If you cannot open the file at all, that is a file password — see password protect.

Unlock some cells but keep the rest protected

Unprotect, select the cells, Ctrl + 1 › Protection › untick Locked, then protect again. Full steps in lock cells.