Office Settings & Configuration

How to Allow Data Entry Only Under the Current Date in Excel with WPS Office

Steve K Nov 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

Restrict a WPS Spreadsheets worksheet so users can enter data only in the column under the Current Date heading, while all other cells remain locked.

Product: WPS Office Spreadsheets
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user has a worksheet with a Current Date heading and wants to prevent edits outside the active date column.
Observed behavior: After applying the solution, only cells under the current date heading accept input; all other cells are protected from changes.

Before you start

Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets and confirm which column currently has the Current Date heading. If you want to require a specific date value, decide whether the allowed date is today, a range, or another rule.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlock Only the Current Date Column and Protect the Worksheet

Use this manual protection method when the current date column is already visible and you want to lock every other cell in the workbook.

All cells in WPS Office Spreadsheets start as locked by default, but the Locked setting has no effect until worksheet protection is turned on.

After protection is enabled, only cells that were explicitly unlocked remain editable. If the current date heading moves to a new column, repeat the unlocking steps for that column.

Select the cells under the current date heading

Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets and click the first cell directly under the Current Date heading. Press Ctrl+Shift+Down Arrow to select the data range, or drag to select the exact cells you want to remain editable.

Open Format Cells and unlock the selection

Press Ctrl+1 to open Format Cells. Go to the Protection tab, clear the Locked check box, and click OK.

Protect the worksheet

Click the Review tab, select Protect Sheet, enter a password if desired, keep Select unlocked cells enabled, and click OK.

Test the data entry restriction

Try to type in the unlocked current date column; then try to edit a cell outside that column to confirm WPS Office Spreadsheets blocks the change.

Worksheet is protected: Only the cells under the current date heading accept entry. To edit locked cells later, go to Review > Unprotect Sheet and restore protection afterward.

Solution 2

Add a Date Validation Rule to the Unlocked Current Date Column

Use this together with worksheet protection when you also want to ensure users enter only valid dates, or specifically today's date, in the unlocked column.

Restrict Excel Data Entry to the Current Date Column with WPS Office

WPS Office Spreadsheets lets you unlock only the current date column, add a date validation rule, and protect the worksheet so all other cells stay locked. The result is a controlled, locked workbook that continues to work smoothly with Microsoft Excel.

1. Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office, click Spreadsheets, and open the Excel file that contains the Current Date heading.
2. Select and unlock the current date column: Click the first cell under the Current Date heading, press Ctrl+Shift+Down Arrow, then press Ctrl+1. Under Protection, clear Locked and click OK.
3. Add an optional current date validation rule: Go to the Data tab, click Validation, choose Date, and set the condition such as between =TODAY() and =TODAY().
4. Protect the worksheet: Go to the Review tab, click Protect Sheet, set a password if needed, and confirm.
5. Test the data entry restriction: Enter data in the unlocked column and then try to edit another cell to confirm the protection works.

Lock every cell except the current date column without leaving WPS OfficeUse built-in data validation to enforce valid date entriesFull compatibility with Microsoft Excel .xlsx files and workbook protectionFree, lightweight spreadsheet app with a familiar ribbon interface

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are all cells locked by default even though I did not lock them?

In WPS Office Spreadsheets and Microsoft Excel, all cells are marked as locked by default. The Locked setting only becomes active after you protect the worksheet. That is why you must clear Locked for the current date cells before protecting.

Can WPS Office automatically unlock a new column when the current date changes?

A standard worksheet protection setup does not move the unlocked range automatically. You can repeat the unlock-and-protect steps for the new date column, or use a VBA macro in WPS Office Spreadsheets if macros are enabled.

Does this protection remain active when the file is opened in Microsoft Excel?

Yes. Worksheet protection, locked/unlocked cell settings, and data validation are saved in the .xlsx file and work in Microsoft Excel. You need the password to unprotect the sheet in either application.

Can I allow entries only for today's date in the unlocked cells?

Yes. Select the unlocked cells, go to Data > Validation, choose Date, select between, and enter =TODAY() in both the Start date and End date boxes. Then only today's date is accepted.

What if I need to edit the protected cells later?

Go to Review > Unprotect Sheet, enter the password, make your edits, and then protect the sheet again to restore the restriction.

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