Protect Excel Sheet
Add a password that locks your Excel worksheets from editing. Free, browser-only, and your file never leaves your device.
Protection is a deterrent, not encryption
Sheet protection prevents editing but does not encrypt your data - the values remain readable. For true confidentiality, add a file-open password in Excel.
Drop your file here or click to upload
Supports .xlsx · up to 50MB · or paste a file from your clipboard
How to Password Protect an Excel Sheet Online
- Upload your .xlsx file - Drag and drop or click to browse. The workbook is processed locally, never uploaded.
- Enter a password - This password will be required to unprotect and edit the sheets in Excel.
- Download - Get your protected workbook with every sheet locked against editing.
Sheet Protection vs. File Encryption
Protecting a sheet writes a <sheetProtection> element into the workbook so Excel refuses to let cells be edited without the password. It is ideal for preventing accidental changes to a template or a shared report. It does not encrypt the data, though - anyone who opens the file can still read the values, and the protection can be removed. If you need to keep the contents secret, use Excel's "Encrypt with Password" option, which encrypts the whole file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is free, needs no signup, and runs entirely in your browser - your workbook is never uploaded.
It locks the worksheet so cells cannot be edited, and objects and scenarios cannot be changed, until the password is entered in Excel. Viewers can still open and read the file.
Worksheet protection is a deterrent, not encryption. It stops casual editing and accidental changes, but it does not encrypt the data - anyone can still read the values. For true confidentiality, encrypt the file with a file-open password in Excel instead.
Every worksheet in the workbook is protected with the password you enter. Any existing protection on a sheet is replaced.
Yes. Enter the password in Excel to unprotect a sheet, or use our Excel Password Remover to strip protection from a file you own.
No. Protection is applied locally with JavaScript, so your file stays on your device.