Formulas are vital tools in Excel. They are used to manipulate cells and perform other essential tasks in Excel. Did you know you can lock Cell (s) that contains formulas? Excel allows its users to lock the cells that contain the formulas. This post will discuss common ways to lock formula cells in Excel.
To Lock formulas
A] To lock cells in the formula
Steps:
1. Open the Excel document.
2. Click on the Cell(s) that contains the formula(s) you wish to lock.
3. In the Excel screen, locate the formula bar, and then locate the formula.
4. To lock the formula cells, add the Dollar sign ($) between the column index and the row index. For instance, =$A$2+$A$3
5. Finally, click on the Enter button. That is all. The cells in the formula will be locked.
B] To lock a Single Cell
Steps to follow:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Click on the Cell(s) that contains the formula(s) you wish to lock.
3. Click on the Home tab, hit the Format Cells drop-down button, and choose the Lock Cell option.
C] To lock multiple cells with a formula
Steps to follow:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Highlight the cells that have the formula.
3. Right-click and choose the format cell option.
4. From the dialogue box, click on the protection tab.
5. Check the Locked checkbox.
6. Finally, hit the OK button to save the changes made.
D] To lock the Entire Sheet
Steps to follow:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Open the Worksheet that contains the formulas you wish to lock.
3. Click on the Home tab, hit the Format Cells drop-down button, and choose the Protect Sheet option.
4. Enter the locking password in the password section.
5. Using the Checkbox, check or uncheck the checkboxes in the Allow all users of this worksheet section.
How to hide formulas
Apart from locking formulas, you can as well hide them. Excel allows users to show or hide the formulas in the Excel worksheet.
Steps to follow:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Open the Worksheet that contains the formulas you wish to lock.
3. Select all the in your worksheet. That is, press CTRL + A keys.
4. Click on the Home tab in the ribbon, then click on the Find & Select option.
5. From the drop-down menu, select the Go to Special button.
6. A dialogue box will open. In the Go To Special dialogue box, toggle on the Formulas button. Then, check all the checkboxes under the Formulas option. Finally, click the OK button.
7. In the worksheet screen, press CTRL + 1 Keys to open the Format Cells dialogue box.
8. From the dialogue box, click on the protection tab.
9. Check the Hidden checkbox. Then, click the OK button to save changes.