To mark a workbook as final in Excel on Mac, you simply access the file protection options within the menu bar.
Here's how to do it using the steps outlined in the reference:
Steps to Mark Your Excel Workbook as Final on Mac
Making your Excel file final signifies that the file is complete and discourages editing. While not a security feature, it's a common courtesy for recipients.
Follow these steps to mark your workbook as final:
- Open Your Excel Workbook: Launch the Excel application and open the specific workbook you wish to mark as final.
- Access File Options: In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click on File.
- Go to Info: From the dropdown menu, select Info. This will open a panel displaying information about your workbook.
- Choose Protect Workbook: Within the Info panel, you will find options related to protecting the workbook. Click on Protect Workbook.
- Select Mark as Final: From the options provided under Protect Workbook, choose Mark as Final.
You will likely receive a message confirming that the workbook will be saved and marked as final. Click OK to proceed. The file will then be marked as final, and a banner will appear at the top of the workbook when opened, indicating its status.
Note: The specific path, based on the provided reference, is: File > Info > Protect (Workbook) > Mark as Final.
What Does "Mark as Final" Mean?
Selecting "Mark as Final" adds an indicator to the workbook that signals it's the final version and should not be edited.
- Read-Only Indicator: When the file is opened, a yellow bar appears at the top stating "MARKED AS FINAL: This presentation is marked as final to discourage editing."
- Editing is Discouraged, Not Prevented: Users can still click "Edit Anyway" on the yellow bar to make changes to the workbook. This feature is primarily for signaling intent rather than enforcing security.
Important Considerations
- Not a Security Feature: Mark as Final does not encrypt the file, restrict permissions, or truly prevent someone determined to make changes. Anyone can easily remove the Mark as Final status.
- Easily Undone: To unmark a file as final, simply repeat the steps (
File > Info > Protect Workbook > Mark as Final). The "Mark as Final" option acts as a toggle.
Using the "Mark as Final" feature is a simple way to communicate the completion of your Excel workbook to collaborators or recipients, encouraging them to treat it as the definitive version.
