To mark your current Excel workbook as final, follow these simple steps:
- Click the File tab in the Excel ribbon.
- Select Info from the left-hand menu.
- Click the Protect Workbook button.
- Choose Mark as Final from the dropdown menu.
After you click "Mark as Final," Excel will prompt you with a message box confirming your action. Click OK to proceed. The workbook will then be saved, and a message bar will appear at the top of the Excel window indicating that the document has been marked as final. Editing will be discouraged, though not completely prevented.
What does "Mark as Final" do?
Marking a workbook as final signals to readers that the version they are viewing is the completed one and should not be altered. When a workbook is marked as final:
- Typing, editing commands, and proofing marks are disabled.
- People who open the file can read it, but they won't be able to change it easily.
- The status bar shows a message informing users that the workbook is marked as final.
Important Considerations:
- It's not a security feature: "Mark as Final" is not a robust security measure. A determined user can still edit the workbook by clicking the "Edit Anyway" button on the message bar.
- Purpose: Its primary purpose is to discourage accidental changes and to clearly indicate the final version of the document.
In Summary:
Marking your Excel workbook as final is a straightforward way to signal that the document is complete. Access File > Info > Protect Workbook > Mark as Final to enable this feature. Remember that while it discourages edits, it doesn't prevent them entirely.
