Setting the Input Fields to the Unlocked State

Before protecting a worksheet, you need to unlock the fields where you want people to fill in data; otherwise they will not be able to fill in the form. Also, protecting the entire worksheet or workbook protects the text and other elements elsewhere in the form from being changed.

  1. Move to the first cell you want to unlock and do the following:
Excel 2003: ALT+O (Format menu), E (Format Cells dialog box), alternatively, press CTRL+1 Excel 2007: ALT+H (Home tab), FN (Format Cells dialog box), alternatively, press CTRL+1

Picture of the Format Cells, Protection page in Excel.

Picture of the Format Cells, Protection page in Excel


  1. Press CTRL+TAB to move to the Protection tab page.
  2. Press TAB to move to the check box "locked" and press SPACEBAR to uncheck it.
  3. Press ENTER to close the Format Cells dialog box.
  4. Repeat the process for all cells where data is to be entered.

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