Fix a Worksheet Protection Password That Excel Rejects in WPS Office Spreadsheets
Question details
The user needs to fix a worksheet protection password that is accepted in Manage Protection but rejected when pausing or removing worksheet protection, even after the password is changed.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is managing worksheet protection in a spreadsheet and needs to pause or remove protection without being blocked by a password mismatch.
- Observed behavior
- The password works for Manage Protection but is rejected when pausing or removing worksheet protection, even after the password is changed.
Before you reset worksheet protection, have the current worksheet-protection password ready and check that Caps Lock and the keyboard language are correct. Also make sure you are selecting the protected worksheet rather than the workbook-level protection prompt.
Remove and reset worksheet protection in WPS Office Spreadsheets
Use this when you know the current worksheet password and need to clear the rejected protection and set a fresh one.
Worksheet protection passwords are case-sensitive and tied to the specific sheet. Removing protection and reapplying it often clears a mismatch between the stored protection and the password prompt.
Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets and select the protected worksheet, then click the Review tab in the ribbon.
Click Unprotect Sheet in the Protect group, enter the current worksheet-protection password exactly, and click OK.
Click Protect Sheet, enter a new password in the password box, confirm it, and click OK.
Check password typing and worksheet versus workbook protection
Use this if the password is still rejected and you need to rule out typing errors or using the wrong protection password.
Save a new copy and test worksheet protection
Use this if protection behavior persists after retyping the password, to rule out workbook corruption or a damaged protection state.
Manage and Reset Worksheet Protection in WPS Office Spreadsheets
WPS Office Spreadsheets lets you remove and reapply worksheet protection directly from the Review tab. Enter the current password, set a new one, and continue working without switching tools.
- 1. Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets: Download and install WPS Office, then open the Excel or WPS spreadsheet that contains the protected worksheet.
- 2. Go to the Review tab: Select the protected worksheet and click the Review tab on the WPS Office ribbon.
- 3. Unprotect the sheet: Click Unprotect Sheet, enter the current worksheet-protection password exactly, and click OK.
- 4. Reapply protection with a new password: Click Protect Sheet, create and confirm a new password, and click OK.
- 5. Save the workbook: Save the file to keep the updated worksheet protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my worksheet password work in Manage Protection but fail when I unprotect the sheet?
This usually means the password is being entered differently or you are using the wrong protection type. Check capitalization, spaces, and special characters, and make sure you are entering the worksheet-protection password instead of a workbook password.
How do I remove worksheet protection in WPS Office if I know the password?
Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets, select the protected worksheet, click the Review tab, click Unprotect Sheet, enter the current password exactly, and click OK.
Can I reset a rejected worksheet protection password without losing data?
Yes, if you know the current password you can remove protection and reapply it with a new password. If you do not know the password, contact the file owner or administrator and avoid unauthorized password-removal methods.
Does WPS Office support Excel worksheet protection passwords?
Yes, WPS Office Spreadsheets can open and manage .xlsx and .xls worksheets with password protection. The Review tab contains Protect Sheet and Unprotect Sheet options similar to Excel.
