Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 29, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
If you are developing workbooks for others to use, you may want your worksheets to retain whatever names you give them. Excel normally allows users to change worksheet names, as desired. If you don't want them to change, the only way to prevent it is to lock the workbook. You can take these steps:
Figure 1. The Protect Workbook dialog box.
The user can no longer make changes to the names of the worksheet tabs, nor to anything else that affects the structure of the workbook. (For instance, they cannot enter new worksheets or delete existing ones.)
If you want to protect the workbook under the control of a macro, then you can use this code:
ActiveWorkbook.Protect Password:="MyPassword", Structure:=True
All you need to do is provide password you want to use in place of the "MyPassword" example.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2689) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Locking Worksheet Names.
Best-Selling VBA Tutorial for Beginners Take your Excel knowledge to the next level. With a little background in VBA programming, you can go well beyond basic spreadsheets and functions. Use macros to reduce errors, save time, and integrate with other Microsoft applications. Fully updated for the latest version of Office 365. Check out Microsoft 365 Excel VBA Programming For Dummies today!
Excel allows you to protect worksheets, individually. Users can still see that the worksheets are there, but they cannot ...
Discover MoreYou've protected and saved your worksheet with explicit instructions that you be allowed to insert and delete rows. But ...
Discover MoreWant to hide certain columns within a worksheet so the contents are not visible to others? The answer lies in formatting ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments