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I select a column (e.g. Sheet1!A:A) to be protected, then in the right pane I edit the settings (name, permissions), and finally I click Done

What happens: The protected range then switches to Sheet1!A1:A100 (if there are 100 rows).

Naturally, I want to protect the entire column, to avoid fields in that column in new rows to be editable by certain users.

Is it possible to protect an entire column (A:A)? If not, what is the logic behind that restriction?

(See also my question in the Google Product Forums.)

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migrated from superuser.com Aug 17 '12 at 16:48

2 Answers

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As far as I know there is no way around that restriction. Protection of cells is however a new feature to Google docs, and I wouldn't be surprised if they improve it. (Although, cell protection has been heavily requested since at least 2009 and was just recently implemented, so I wouldn't hold my breath.)

Edit: As pointed out in comments, if you add rows within the range the range is automatically expanded, but it fails for the "Add rows att bottom"-button or if you select the last row and select add row below.

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If it takes them three years, then I wonder why they can't get it right... – feklee Aug 17 '12 at 15:17
How's this for strange: if you insert a row in the middle of the protected range, the range boundary changes to include the new row without losing the bottom row. But if you select the bottom row and "Insert row below", the range boundary does not change. – William Jackson Aug 17 '12 at 21:12
@WilliamJackson: In a way, that's consistent. It's the same behavior as with conditionally formatted cells. Still, I don't like it in either case. – feklee Aug 18 '12 at 7:40
Still waiting for a definite confirmation that this is not possible (backed by a reference). – feklee Aug 18 '12 at 9:35
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I don think so that feature is available within Gdocs. If its there also I am sure its with a technical code.. Mean while I had a similar stint but still try hard to find an option. But came across some alternatives such as CollateBox for the same.. Here in this article http://www.collatebox.com/web/collatebox-or-spreadsheets.html if yu look at the benefits of data, it speaks something similar to what most of us are looking at..This one

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CollateBox does look interesting - thanks, James! However, I still am waiting for a definite reply (with reference) concerning my original question. – feklee Aug 27 '12 at 20:29
The only problem is that CollateBox is not yet live, and there is not even a public beta program. My request for invitation was confirmed only with an email telling me where to find more information and a link to a pointless video. So I cannot try it out. – feklee Aug 27 '12 at 20:52
Yes CollateBox is not yet out in the market, but hope so it reaches us soon. Btw I read through some of their blogs blog.collatebox.com n find them relevant to my use case. Hence banking on this one for spreadsheet sharing solution. – James Sep 4 '12 at 5:41

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