Locking Tabs on a shared spreadsheet

Protect the Workbook Structure

This is the key feature that stops users from adding, deleting, or renaming sheets.

How to enable it:

1. Go to the Review tab
2. Click Protect Workbook
3. Check Structure
4. (Optional) Add a password
5. Click OK

✅ This locks the workbook layout while still allowing users to edit cells in existing sheets.

Create a “Start Here” Navigation Sheet

To reduce confusion and guide users to their assigned tabs, I created a front-facing sheet with clear instructions and clickable links.

Example layout:

excel

🟢 Welcome to the Collaboration Sheet Please do not add new sheets.

Your tab is already set up.

Click your name below to jump to your sheet: 

=HYPERLINK("#'Amos'!A1", "Amos") 
=HYPERLINK("#'Wale'!A1", "Wale") 
=HYPERLINK("#'Henry'!A1", "Henry") 
=HYPERLINK("#'Jack'!A1", "Jack")

Need help?

Contact the sheet owner. 

Create Individual Sheets for Each User

• Each sheet is named after the user and includes a simple layout for comments or input. For example:
• Header: Comments for [Name]
• Table or section for input
• Optional formatting or instructions

Why This Works

• No VBA or macros required
• Fully functional in Excel 365 Desktop
• Prevents sheet creation while allowing collaboration
• Easy to maintain and scale for large teams

Preventing Users from Adding Sheets in a Shared Excel Workbook (No VBA Required)

Hi [Name], I’ve faced this exact challenge—sharing a workbook with hundreds of users and needing to prevent them from adding new sheets while still allowing them to edit their assigned tabs.

Here’s a practical solution I implemented using Excel 365 Desktop only, with no VBA, macros, or online tools:

Step 1: Protect the Workbook Structure

This is the key feature that stops users from adding, deleting, or renaming sheets.

How to enable it:

1. Go to the Review tab
2. Click Protect Workbook
3. Check Structure
4. (Optional) Add a password
5. Click OK

✅ This locks the workbook layout while still allowing users to edit cells in existing sheets.

 Step 2: Create a “Start Here” Navigation Sheet

To reduce confusion and guide users to their assigned tabs, I created a front-facing sheet with clear instructions and clickable links.

🟢 Welcome to the Collaboration Sheet

Please do not add new sheets. Your tab is already set up.

Click your name below to jump to your sheet:
- =HYPERLINK("#'Amos'!A1", "Amos")
- =HYPERLINK("#'Wale'!A1", "Wale")
- =HYPERLINK("#'Henry'!A1", "Henry")
- =HYPERLINK("#'Jack'!A1", "Jack")

Need help? Contact the sheet owner.

Step 3: Create Individual Sheets for Each User

Each sheet is named after the user and includes a simple layout for comments or input. For example:

• Header: Comments for [Name]
• Table or section for input
• Optional formatting or instructions

Why This Works

• No VBA or macros required
• Fully functional in Excel 365 Desktop
• Prevents sheet creation while allowing collaboration
• Easy to maintain and scale for large teams

Sounds like this is a navigation issue. Add a Table Of Contents worksheet (make it the first one in the workbook). Then at the top of every sheet add a link back to that ToC worksheet.

To prevent adding worksheets, you can consider protecting the workbook (Review tab).