Protecting a Shared Workbook

If the workbook you want to protect is shared

1. If the workbook is already shared and you want to assign a password to protect the sharing, you must first unshare the workbook by doing the following:
1. Have all other users save and close the shared workbook to avoid losing their work.
2. To keep a copy of the change history information that is usually lost when you unshare a workbook, do the following:
1. Click on the Review tab, in the Changes group, click Track Changes, and then click Highlight Changes.
2. In the When list, select All.
3. Clear the Who and Where check boxes.
4. Select the List changes on a new sheet check box, and then click OK.
5. Print the History worksheet or copy the history to another workbook.
Change history is the information that is maintained about changes made in past editing sessions of a shared workbook. The information includes the name of the person who made each change, when the change was made, and what data was changed.
2. In the shared workbook, on the Review tab, in the Changes group, click Share Workbook.
3. On the Editing tab, make sure that you are the only person listed in the 'Who has this workbook open now' list.
4. Clear the 'Allow changes by more than one user at the same time. This also allows workbook merging' check box. If this check box is not available, then you must unprotect the workbook before clearing the check box.
5. Clic Ok. When you are prompted about the effects on other users, click Yes.
If needed, give specific users access to ranges, protect worksheets, protect workbook elements, and set passwords for viewing and editing.
6. If prompted, save the workbook.

To Unprotect Workbook

1. Click on the Review tab, in the Changes group, click 'Unprotect Workbook.'
2. If you are prompted, enter the password and then click OK.