Skip to main content

Explore the new, free version of Kutools for Outlook today!

How to protect header and footer in Excel?

Author: Xiaoyang Last Modified: 2024-09-14

In Excel, we can protect the cells quickly and easily, but, have you ever tried to protect the header and footer to prevent others modifying them? Normally, there is no direct way to solve this task in worksheet, but, the following VBA code may do you a favor.

Protect header and footer with VBA code

arrow blue right bubble Protect header and footer with VBA code

Header and footer are useful for us when printing worksheet, to prevent them being changed by others, please do with following steps:

1. Hold down the ALT + F11 keys to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

2. Then double click ThisWorkbook under the VBAProject section to open a blank module, and then copy and paste the following code into the module:

VBA code: Protect header and footer

Option Explicit
Private Sub Workbook_BeforePrint(Cancel As Boolean)
    Call ProtectHF
End Sub
Private Sub Workbook_BeforeSave(ByVal SaveAsUI As Boolean, Cancel As Boolean)
    Call ProtectHF
End Sub
Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Call ProtectHF
End Sub
Private Sub ProtectHF()
'Updateby Extendoffice
    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    ThisWorkbook.ActiveSheet.PageSetup.RightHeader = ""
    ThisWorkbook.ActiveSheet.PageSetup.RightFooter = ""
    ThisWorkbook.ActiveSheet.PageSetup.CenterFooter = "KTE-Sale-Report"
    ThisWorkbook.ActiveSheet.PageSetup.CenterHeader = "Created by Skyyang"
    ThisWorkbook.ActiveSheet.PageSetup.LeftHeader = ""
    ThisWorkbook.ActiveSheet.PageSetup.LeftFooter = ""
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

copy and paste the code into ThisWorkbook module

Note: You can insert the header or footer content into the corresponding location in the above code.

3. And then save and close this code, now, while clicking Save button to save this workbook, the modified header or footer content will be return to the original ones automatically if you have tried to change the header or footer , see screenshot:

the modified header or footer content will be return to the original ones automatically if you have tried to change the header or footer

a screenshot of kutools for excel ai

Unlock Excel Magic with Kutools AI

  • Smart Execution: Perform cell operations, analyze data, and create charts—all driven by simple commands.
  • Custom Formulas: Generate tailored formulas to streamline your workflows.
  • VBA Coding: Write and implement VBA code effortlessly.
  • Formula Interpretation: Understand complex formulas with ease.
  • Text Translation: Break language barriers within your spreadsheets.
Enhance your Excel capabilities with AI-powered tools. Download Now and experience efficiency like never before!

Best Office Productivity Tools

🤖 Kutools AI Aide: Revolutionize data analysis based on: Intelligent Execution   |  Generate Code  |  Create Custom Formulas  |  Analyze Data and Generate Charts  |  Invoke Kutools Functions…
Popular Features: Find, Highlight or Identify Duplicates   |  Delete Blank Rows   |  Combine Columns or Cells without Losing Data   |   Round without Formula ...
Super Lookup: Multiple Criteria VLookup  |   Multiple Value VLookup  |   VLookup Across Multiple Sheets   |   Fuzzy Lookup ....
Advanced Drop-down List: Quickly Create Drop Down List   |  Dependent Drop Down List   |  Multi-select Drop Down List ....
Column Manager: Add a Specific Number of Columns  |  Move Columns  |  Toggle Visibility Status of Hidden Columns  |  Compare Ranges & Columns ...
Featured Features: Grid Focus   |  Design View   |   Big Formula Bar   |  Workbook & Sheet Manager   |  Resource Library (Auto Text)   |  Date Picker   |  Combine Worksheets   |  Encrypt/Decrypt Cells   |  Send Emails by List   |  Super Filter   |   Special Filter (filter bold/italic/strikethrough...) ...
Top 15 Toolsets:  12 Text Tools (Add Text, Remove Characters, ...)   |   50+ Chart Types (Gantt Chart, ...)   |   40+ Practical Formulas (Calculate age based on birthday, ...)   |   19 Insertion Tools (Insert QR Code, Insert Picture from Path, ...)   |   12 Conversion Tools (Numbers to Words, Currency Conversion, ...)   |   7 Merge & Split Tools (Advanced Combine Rows, Split Cells, ...)   |   ... and more
Use Kutools in your preferred language – supports English, Spanish, German, French, Chinese, and 40+ others!

Supercharge Your Excel Skills with Kutools for Excel, and Experience Efficiency Like Never Before. Kutools for Excel Offers Over 300 Advanced Features to Boost Productivity and Save Time.  Click Here to Get The Feature You Need The Most...

Office Tab Brings Tabbed interface to Office, and Make Your Work Much Easier

  • Enable tabbed editing and reading in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Visio and Project.
  • Open and create multiple documents in new tabs of the same window, rather than in new windows.
  • Increases your productivity by 50%, and reduces hundreds of mouse clicks for you every day!