How to allow edit objects in protected worksheet in Excel?

By default, the inserted objects such as shapes, text boxes cannot be edited after protecting the worksheet. If you need to edit objects in a protected worksheet, please try the methods in this article.

Allow edit objects in protected worksheet by checking the Edit Objects option
Allow edit objects in protected worksheet with VBA code

Allow edit objects in protected worksheet by checking the Edit Objects option

Please check the Edit Objects option to allow editing objects before protecting the worksheet. Please do as follows.

1. Click Review > Protect Sheet.

2. In the Protect Sheet dialog box, specify a password in the Password to unprotect sheet box, and check the Edit objects box in the Allow all users of this worksheet to box, then click the OK button. Confirm your password in the Confirm Password dialog box. See screenshot:

Now the worksheet is protected and all objects in this protected worksheet are editable.

Allow edit objects in protected worksheet with VBA code

If the worksheet has already been protected, you can try the below VBA script to allow edit objects. Please do as follows.

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

2. In the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, double click ThisWorkbook in the left Project pane. Then copy and paste the below VBA code into the ThisWorkbook (Code) window.

VBA code: Allow edit objects in protected worksheet

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    On Error Resume Next
    With Worksheets("Sheet3")
        .EnableOutlining = True
        .EnableAutoFilter = True
        .Protect Password:="123", _
        Contents:=True, DrawingObjects:=False, UserInterfaceOnly:=True, _
        AllowFormattingCells:=True
    End With
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

Note: In the code, Sheet3 is the protected worksheet contains the objects you need to edit. And number “123” is the password of the protected sheet. Please change them as you need.

3. Press the F5 keys to run the code, and all objects in this protected worksheet are editable immediately.

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