How to Limit a Range in Google Sheets

To limit who can change cells in Google Sheets, select the cells, open Data > Protect sheets and ranges, and set editing permissions for that range. This protects the contents from unwanted edits; it does not hide the cells or control which values people may enter in an otherwise editable range. The steps below are for Google Sheets in a web browser.

What You’ll Need

A Google account with edit access to the spreadsheet. You may need to be the owner, or have permission to manage protections, to change protection settings.
The spreadsheet open in a desktop web browser, and the cell range you want to protect identified in advance.
If only certain people should edit the cells, their Google accounts or the ability to select them in the permission dialog.

Step-by-Step

Open the spreadsheet and identify the cells. Go to Google Sheets in your browser and open the file. Decide whether you want to protect a small block, such as B2:D12, or a larger area. You can protect a range that includes blank cells too, which is useful if you want to reserve space for formulas or future entries. Make a note of the exact sheet tab and cell addresses so you do not protect the wrong area.
Select the range you want to limit. Drag across the cells, or click the name box to the left of the formula bar, type a range such as B2:D12, and press Enter. To specify a range on a particular tab in the protection panel, use the tab name followed by an exclamation mark, for example Sales!B2:D12. If the tab name contains spaces, Google Sheets may display it with single quotes, such as ‘Quarter 1’!B2:D12. Check that the highlighted selection matches your intention before continuing.
Open the protection controls. With the range selected, choose Data > Protect sheets and ranges from the menu. The Protected sheets & ranges sidebar opens on the right. Click Add a sheet or range if the sidebar does not already show a new protection entry. You can create the protection from the sidebar without selecting cells first, but selecting them beforehand helps avoid typing an incorrect address.
Confirm the range in the sidebar. In the sidebar, choose the Range tab if needed, then check the field showing the cell address. Edit it if the selection is not right. Use the range picker icon if you prefer to select cells directly on the sheet. You can also give the protection a descriptive name, such as Formula cells – Monthly totals. A useful name makes it easier to identify and revise the rule later, especially when a workbook has several protected areas.
Choose whether to block edits or show a warning. Click Set permissions. Select Restrict who can edit this range to prevent people outside the allowed list from changing the range. The other option, Show a warning when editing this range, only displays a warning; it does not stop an editor from proceeding. Use the warning setting when you want to discourage accidental changes but still let collaborators make them when necessary.
Choose the permitted editors. For a restricted range, select Only you if just your account should edit those cells, or choose the custom option and select the people who should be allowed to edit them. Review the names carefully, particularly if collaborators have similar names or more than one account. The restriction controls editing of the protected cells; it does not change who can view the spreadsheet or edit other unprotected cells.
Save the protection and check it. Click Done to apply the permissions. The sidebar should show the saved rule. If practical, ask a collaborator who is not on the allowed list to open the file and try to edit one of the protected cells. You can also test with another account you control. Confirm that an allowed editor can still change the cells, and that nearby unprotected cells remain editable as intended.
Protect exceptions separately if needed. If you want to protect most of a sheet but leave a few input cells open, choose Sheet instead of Range when adding protection. Select the sheet and use the option to except certain cells, then list the cells that should remain editable. Set permissions and save. This is often easier than protecting many separate blocks, but carefully review the exceptions so you do not accidentally leave formulas or sensitive working cells open.

Common Mistakes

Choosing a warning instead of a restriction. A warning is a reminder, not a lock. If collaborators must be unable to edit the cells, choose the restricted-editors option and set the permitted accounts.
Protecting the wrong range or tab. A selection can be easy to misread, especially when the sheet is scrolled or several tabs use similar layouts. Check both the tab name and the cell address in the sidebar before saving. A rule for B2:D12 on one tab does not automatically protect B2:D12 on every tab.
Assuming protection hides or secures information. A protected range remains visible to people who can view the spreadsheet. Protection is an editing control, not a password or confidentiality feature. Editors may still be able to copy information or make a copy of the file, depending on their access and the file’s settings.
Protecting cells that collaborators need to fill in. If people should enter names or figures in certain cells, leave those input cells unprotected or list them as exceptions when protecting a sheet. Protect formulas and fixed labels separately where that gives you clearer control.
Expecting a protected range to restrict allowed values. Protection decides who can edit, not what a permitted editor may type. To limit entries to choices such as Approved, Pending, or Rejected, use a dropdown or data validation rule instead.

Tips

Use clear names for rules. Labels such as Locked formulas – Summary or Inputs – Team leads explain why a protection exists. This is more useful than leaving several rules with generic names when you return to the file later.
Keep editable input areas obvious. Use a consistent fill color or an instruction near the cells that collaborators should update. Visual cues do not replace permissions, but they reduce confusion about where people are expected to work.
Protect formulas, not just the cells currently containing values. If a formula column will grow as new rows are added, include enough rows in the protected range or review the rule when the sheet expands. A protection rule for B2:B50 will not necessarily cover new formula cells below row 50.
Use sheet protection with exceptions for broad layouts. If almost all cells should be locked and only a few are for data entry, protecting the sheet and listing exceptions is usually easier to maintain. If just a few isolated formula blocks need protection, separate range rules may be clearer.
Remember that Excel handles protection differently. Google Sheets uses Data > Protect sheets and ranges. In Excel for Microsoft 365 on Windows, worksheet protection is managed through Review > Protect Sheet, and cell locking typically depends on cell formatting and sheet protection. The settings do not transfer as identical Google Sheets permissions.

Troubleshooting

The protection menu or controls are unavailable. Check that you are signed in to an account with edit access and that you are using Google Sheets in a browser. If you can only view or comment on the file, ask the owner to grant editing access or create the protection for you. In an organization, sharing policies may also restrict permission changes.
A collaborator can still edit the cells. Reopen Data > Protect sheets and ranges, select the rule, and confirm it says Restrict who can edit this range, rather than warning only. Check that the collaborator is not included among permitted editors and that the correct range and sheet are protected. If they are an allowed editor, remove their account and save the revised rule.
An allowed person is blocked from editing. Open the rule and inspect the custom editor list for the exact Google account the person uses. They may be signed in to a different account from the one you added. Also check whether the cell falls inside a second protected range or a protected sheet with no exception for that cell.
The range changed after rows or columns were added. Review the address in the protection sidebar. If new rows were inserted outside the protected address, edit the rule to include them. For recurring additions, consider protecting the whole relevant column or sheet and explicitly leaving intended input cells as exceptions.
The rule appears saved but edits are still possible. Refresh the spreadsheet and inspect the saved rule again. Make sure the selected setting blocks editing, then test with an account that is definitely not allowed. Protection is not intended to prevent an owner from managing their own file, and it is not a way to stop viewers from seeing or copying information.
You meant to limit the choices people can enter. Remove or keep the range protection as appropriate, then select the input cells and use Data > Data validation to set acceptable values or a dropdown. Decide whether invalid entries should be rejected or merely flagged. This addresses allowed content; it is separate from deciding who has permission to edit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I protect only a few cells in Google Sheets?

Yes. Select the cells, open Data > Protect sheets and ranges, and add a range rule. You can specify a small area such as C4:C10 without protecting the rest of the sheet.

Can I let people edit some cells but lock the rest?

Yes. Protect the whole sheet and set exceptions for the cells that should remain editable, or protect only the cells that need to be locked. Use the approach that is easier to understand and maintain for your layout.

Can I use a password to lock a range?

No. Google Sheets range protection uses Google account permissions; it does not provide a password for an individual range. Set who can edit the range, and use file-sharing permissions to control who can access the spreadsheet.

Does protecting a range stop people from viewing or copying it?

No. Protection limits editing, not visibility. Anyone with access to view the sheet can generally see the cells, so do not use range protection to conceal confidential information.

How do I remove or change a range limit?

Open Data > Protect sheets and ranges, select the rule in the sidebar, and edit its range or permissions. To remove it, select the rule and use the trash or remove control shown for that protection.

Is limiting a range the same as limiting entries to a list?

No. Protecting a range controls who may edit it. To restrict input to a list or a particular kind of value, select the cells and set up data validation or a dropdown using the Data menu.

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Sources: Function behaviour and menu paths: Microsoft Support documentation for Excel. Method & sources

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