Easily protect/lock some cells from editing in Excel

The first method will introduce a VBA to toggle or turn on/off a certain worksheet protection in Excel. Please do as follows:

1. Press Alt + F11 keys simultaneously to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

2. Click Insert > Module, and then paste the below VBA code into the opening Module window.

VBA: Toggle a certain worksheet protection in Excel

Sub ToggleProtect()
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents Then
ActiveSheet.Unprotect "password"
Else
ActiveSheet.Protect "password"
End If
End Sub

Note: In above code, please replace both “password ” with the exact password that you protect this certain worksheet with.

3. Press Alt + F8 keys simultaneously to open the Macro dialog box, click to select the ToggleProtect in the Macro name box, and then click the Options button.

4. In the opening Macro Options dialog box, please specify shortcut key for this VBA, and click the OK button.

In our case, we specify Ctrl + u as shortcut keys for this VBA.

5. Close the Macro dialog box.

From now on, pressing Ctrl + u keys together will unprotect this worksheet, and pressing Ctrl + u keys together again will protect this worksheet again.

If you have Kutools for Excel installed, you can configure the Worksheet Design settings to toggle (or turn on/off) a worksheet protection with only clicks in Excel.

1. Click Enterprise > Worksheet Design to activate the Design tab, and then click the Settings button on the Design tab. See screenshot:

2. In the opening Design Tools Settings dialog box, go to Protect section and:

(1) Check the Unprotect the worksheet before opening design tools option and the Protect the worksheet before closing design tools option;

(2) In the Use Password box, please type the password you protect current worksheet with.

3. Click the Ok button in the Design Tools Settings dialog box.

From now on, this worksheet will be automatically unprotected when you click the Worksheet Design button on the Enterprise tab.

And this worksheet will be automatically protected when you click the Close Design button on the Design tab.