How to password protect hidden columns and custom views in Excel

[Guest]

I want to create a spreadsheet with some columns that contain data that I
want to password protect to limit access to only some users. Alternatively, I
would like to create a custom view that hides these columns and then password
protect the view. I can't figure out how to do this. Any help?

 

[NickNick]

I presume that you want just a few columns protected and the rest of th
worksheet to be editable? (I think that's a real word!)

One option is to lock the cells you want protected:
- In your work sheet, press [Ctrl] + [A] to highlight all the cells
- Right click in the worksheet and select *Format Cells...*
- Go to the *Protection* tab and untick the *Locked* box and clic
[OK]. (This will make all the cells editable once you've applied th
password)
- Select the columns you want protected.
- Right click in the highlighted area and select *Format Cells...*
- Go to the *Protection* tab again and tick the *Locked* box and clic
[OK].
- *Go to Tools * > *Protection* > *Protect Sheet* and apply you
password and save.

When someone loads the file and tries to edit the columns you'v
protected, they won't be able to.

 

[Dave Peterson]

If the data in those columns is sensitive, then you may not want to even put
that data in excel. Worksheet protection can be easily broken and your data can
be seen by anyone.