Can’t edit certain cells in Google Sheets? Check protected ranges

Open the spreadsheet on a computer. If the whole file is view-only or comment-only, confirm that you opened it with the correct Google account and ask for file editing access. If you can already edit input cells but get blocked in a formula column, check the protection on that column.

Choose View → Show → Protected ranges. Look for a striped background over the cells in question. Then open Data → Protect sheets and ranges if you have access to the protection panel. A protection can apply to a range or to a whole tab with some cells excluded. A warning asks for confirmation. A restriction limits who can make the change.

Tell the owner the tab name, the range and what you need to update. For example, if a formula column is locked but you only need to enter a price, ask which input column is intended for that value. If you manage the protection, select the matching entry and use Change permissions to grant access to the people who need it. Check that another editor can still use the intended input cells.

Check whether you opened an Excel file in Office editing mode. Google’s protected ranges feature is available for native Google Sheets files. If the owner wants to use that feature, ask them whether to convert the workbook and which file the team should keep editing.