How to Lock Formulas in Excel
Last Updated :
11 Oct, 2024
Are you tired of accidentally altering formulas in your Excel spreadsheets? Locking formulas in Excel is essential for maintaining the integrity of your data and ensuring that your calculations remain accurate. In this comprehensive article, you will learn the effective techniques to protect your Excel formulas from unintended changes, helping you keep your data secure.
From understanding cell references to utilizing the $ shortcut for absolute references, we’ll cover everything you need to know. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, mastering how to lock formulas will enhance your productivity and data management skills. Let’s get into the straightforward process of locking your Excel formulas and safeguarding your valuable calculations!
In this article, we will discuss how to lock and protect the formulas within the Excel sheet along with an example.
Lock Formulas in Excel Understanding Cell References
Before we explore the $ shortcut, it's crucial to grasp the concept of cell references. In Excel formulas, cell references indicate which cells to include in calculations. There are three main types of cell references:
Relative References
These are the default references in Excel. When you copy and paste a formula to a new cell, the references adjust relative to the formula's new position.
Absolute References
Unlike relative references, these references remain constant when you copy and paste a formula. You create an absolute reference by placing a $ symbol before the column letter and row number, like this: $A$1.
Mixed References
These references enable you to lock either the column or row, but not both. Create a mixed reference by adding a $ symbol before either the column letter or row number, such as $A1 or A$1.
In this section, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to lock formulas using the dollar sign to create absolute references. This method is vital for maintaining consistent references in your calculations.
Step 1: Open the Spreadsheet
Open the sheet you want to lock formulas in.
In this sheet we want to multiply the price with the units to calculate total units for every day.
Enter the formula for one row as shown below.
Step 3: Locking the Reference to Cell B1
Now, we want to lock the reference to the cell "B1" because we want it to stay same for all the rows. When the formula is dragged the value of "B1" cell should remain the same.
Place the cursor at the end of B1 which is entered in the formula shown in the cell "C4" in the below image.
Press "F4". You can confirm that the reference to the cell "B1" is locked when you see dollar sign($) placed in front of "B1" in the formula. As shown in the image below, like "$B$1".
Step 4: Preview Result
Press "Enter", you will see that the value is been calculated.
Learn how to lock formulas while keeping the workbook accessible. This method allows users to edit other cells without altering locked formulas, ensuring data integrity.
Step 1: Open the spreadsheet
Suppose we have an Excel as follows which contains some calculations done with the help of formulas.
Step 2: Unlock all Cells
1. Select the whole excel sheet by pressing Ctrl + A.
Right click while the cells are selected. Click on "Format Cells" option or Press Ctrl + 1.
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Step 4: Go to the Protection Tab
The below box will now open. Choose the "Protection" tab.
Step 5: Unmark the Locked Checkbox and Click Ok
Observe the "Locked" option is marked. Unmark this checkbox
1. Next go to the "Home" section. Select "Find & Select" option.
2. Completing the above step will open a dialog box as shown below. Click on "Go to Special".
3. This will open a separate dialog box as shown below.
4. Choose the "Formulas" option. Click "Ok".
5. After the above step. All the cells containing formulas will be selected as shown below.
Step 7: Lock the cells
1. Now press Ctrl + 1. In the "Protection" tab check the "Locked" and "Hidden" option.
2. The options will look as below. Click "Ok". All the cells containing formulas are now locked and hidden.
Step 8: Protect the cells
1. While the all the locked formula cells are still selected. Go to "Review" section.
2. Choose the "Protect Sheet" option.
3. Now in the "Protect Sheet" dialog box, enter a password to secure the sheet. After you have entered the password click "Ok".
4. Confirm the password by re-entering it. Click on "Ok".
The formulas are now safe and protected. You are free to make changes to any of the cells as you like. However, if you attempt to edit the cells that have the formulas, a message box will appear a shown below.
This section covers how to quickly lock cell references using keyboard shortcuts, making the process efficient for users.
Step 1: Select the Cell
Select the cell with the formula you want to lock.
Press "F4" on the keyboard to lock the cell reference of the formula.
Step 3: Repeat the process
Repeat the process for all the other cells with formulas you want to lock.
Here, we explain how to remove protection and unhide formulas when you need to make changes to your spreadsheet.
Step 1: Open the spreadsheet
Step 2: Unprotect the cells
1. Go to the "Review" section. Click on "Unprotect Sheet" option.
2. After completing the above step the below dialog box will open.
3. Enter the password you provided during protecting the cells.
Now the cells are unprotected.
1. Press Ctrl + A to select all the cells of the sheet.
2. Right click and select the "Format cells" option.
3. On the popped-up dialog box, go to "Protection" tab. Uncheck the "Locked" and "Hidden" option to unhide the formulas. Click on "Ok".
Now the formulas are unhidden and unlocked.
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Conclusion
Locking formulas in Excel is a vital skill for anyone who wants to maintain the integrity of their data and streamline their workflow. By following the techniques outlined in this article, you can easily protect your calculations and prevent unwanted changes. Remember, Excel is not just a tool; it’s a powerful ally in your data management journey. If you found this guide helpful, share your experiences in the comments below or explore our other articles on Excel tips and tricks to enhance your skills further!
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