In some workbooks, you might want to prevent users from making any changes to a pivot table. You want them to see the pivot table, but not change it. However, users might need to make changes to data in other areas of the worksheet.
If you protect the worksheet without enabling pivot table use, users won’t be able to modify the pivot table, but will have access to other unlocked parts of the worksheet.
Prepare the Worksheet
The first step is to unlock cells where changes can be made. Then, turn on the worksheet protection.
- Select any cells in which users are allowed to make changes. In this example, users can make changes to cell E2.
- On the Ribbon, click the Home tab.
- In the Cells group, click Format. If the Lock Cell command is enabled, click Lock Cell to unlock the selected cell.
Protect the Worksheet
Next, protect the worksheet:
- On the Ribbon, click the Review tab, and in the Changes section, click Protect Sheet.
- If desired, enter a password.
- Remove the check mark for Use PivotTable reports, and check any other items you want enabled on the protected worksheet.
- Click OK and confirm the password, if you entered one.
Test the Worksheet
Because the worksheet is protected, and Use PivotTable Reports was not selected, users won’t be able to make changes to the pivot table, and the field list will be hidden.
NOTE: Other pivot tables, based on the same Excel Table as the pivot tables on a protected sheet, will have some features disabled, such as Refresh.
Tip: To refresh a pivot table on a protected sheet, temporarily unprotect the worksheet, refresh the pivot table, and then protect the sheet.
Watch the Video
In this short video, you can see the step by step instructions for preparing and protecting the worksheet.
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