To protect cells in Google Sheets, select them, click Data > Protect sheets and ranges, then Add a sheet or range, choose Range or Sheet, click Set permissions, and pick Show a warning when editing this range or Restrict who can edit this range, then Done. Google notes protection should not be used as a security measure. ProfitDrawer's 12-tab bookkeeping spreadsheets lock formula cells in Excel; Google says those locks are not kept when an Excel file is imported, so protect ranges again in Sheets.
Steps (computer):
- Open the spreadsheet and select the cells (or open the sheet) to protect.
- Click Data > Protect sheets and ranges. A panel opens on the right.
- Click Add a sheet or range, or click an existing protection to edit it.
- Choose Range for specific cells or Sheet for a whole tab.
- Click Set permissions (or Change permissions).
- Choose one:
- Show a warning when editing this range: anyone can still edit, but gets a prompt first. Useful for your own formula cells.
- Restrict who can edit this range: only the people you pick can edit.
- Click Done.
Good to know:
- Protection is for preventing mistakes, not for keeping data secret. Anyone who can view the file can still see the cells.
- When you import or convert an Excel file, Google says protected cells and worksheets become viewable and editable. If the formulas matter, check the protections in your copy and add them again with the steps above.
Source: Google Docs Editors Help: Protect, hide and edit sheets · Updated
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