How to Lock Cells in Google Sheets
Locking cells prevents accidental edits to important data, formulas, and headers while allowing editing in other areas.
Select the Cells to Lock
Highlight the cells, rows, or columns you want to protect.
Open Protected Sheets & Ranges
Go to Data > Protected sheets and ranges. The protection panel opens on the right side.
Set Permissions
Click "Set permissions". Choose "Only you" to restrict editing to yourself, or select "Custom" to allow specific people to edit.
💡 You can also add a description to remind yourself why the range is protected.
Protect an Entire Sheet
In the protected sheets and ranges panel, click "Add a sheet or range" and choose the "Sheet" tab. Select the sheet name and set permissions.
Try These Templates
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lock cells but allow editing of specific columns?
Yes. Protect the entire sheet, then add exceptions for editable ranges.
Does locking cells prevent copying?
No. Locked cells can still be copied. Protection only prevents editing.