XL: Can't Hide/Unhide Sheets if Workbook Contents Protected

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

In the Microsoft Excel versions listed at the beginning of this article, you cannot hide or unhide sheets in a workbook that has been saved with a protected workbook contents window in Microsoft Excel version 4.0.

CAUSE

In the Microsoft Excel versions listed at the beginning of this article, you cannot hide or unhide sheets in a workbook when the workbook structure has been protected. When you protect the workbook contents window in Microsoft Excel version 4.0, you can then hide and unhide sheets in the workbook individually. However, when you open the workbook in Microsoft Excel versions later than 4.0, the workbook structure is protected and you cannot hide or unhide individual sheets in the workbook.

MORE INFORMATION

Workbooks in Microsoft Excel version 4.0 do not have an option to protect the workbook structure, only the workbook window. In versions later than 4.0, with the protection set to window and not structure, the sheet can be hidden. However, protecting the workbook structure disables the hide option for that worksheet.

To protect the structure of a workbook in Microsoft Excel versions later than 4.0, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, point to Protection and then click Protect Workbook.

2. Select the Structure check box, and click OK.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Protect Workbook Command and Unprotect Workbook commands (Tools Menu), click the Search button in Help and type:

   protecting workbooks