Forum Discussion

Copper Contributor

May 12, 2022

Excel Protection vanishes

Team, We have a strange issue. From past 2 weeks the protection option in excel is not working as it should be. > User protects an excel file and save it in SharePoint > The second person open...

excel

Excel for web

Formulas and Functions

Chris_Hoyt

Copper Contributor

May 13, 2022

Following...same issue here. Workbook Protection settings are removed if SharePoint Excel workbook is opened in Excel Desktop application from web browser version of Excel. Workbook is saved and uploaded to SharePoint originally with Workbook Protection settings configured.

Hilda_Munoz
Copper Contributor
May 17, 2022
I'm having a similar issue. I protect my workbook, and when I open it again it's unprotected.
- Chris_Hoyt
  Copper Contributor
  May 17, 2022
  Hilda_Munoz we worked around the issue by forcing our users to open the files in Excel application only rather than Excel web version. Web version is where the password protection is stripped. In SharePoint, go to Library Settings -> Advanced Settings -> Open in client application. I believe you need to be an administrator.
  - Hilda_Munoz
    Copper Contributor
    May 19, 2022
    Chris_Hoyt thank you for your response. That would explain why I'm having that issue. What I don't get is why it just started doing it now, when a few months ago I was able to lock it and keep it that way. I'll see if I can try your suggestion. I appreciate the help!