Remove the lock symbols from the tabs of protected sheets
Microsoft appears to have added this as a new 'feature' in Version 2006 (Build 13001.20266 Click-to-Run) and it's a disaster. For a workbook with a large number of protected sheets the visibility of sheet tabs is reduced by ~ 30%, thereby greatly reducing user-friendliness and the ability to navigate around the workbook using sheet tabs.
I've attached a screen grab of a basic model containing protected sheets which has lost visibility of at least 3 sheet tabs as a result of the unnecessary and unwanted lock symbols on almost every sheet.
This 'feature' needs to be removed or made optional and OFF by default.
Michael Hutchens
shared this idea
Hi All, We apologize for being slow to engage on this thread. We are listening to your feedback and we really do care. After reading the comments here as well as the feedback sent from within Excel, we have decided to remove the lock icon from Excel on Windows for the time-being. Since it’s not new to the other platforms (web, Mac and mobile) and we haven’t had similar feedback about it there, we won’t change those for now. We’ll consider how best to get consistency across the desktop, web, and mobile apps, and we’ll share updates if we have any additional next steps.
We appreciate all the suggestions for alternative ways of indicating that a sheet is protected, and will take them into account.
Thanks for all your feedback.
Steve [Microsoft Excel]
221 comments
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Matthias
commented
After update the lock symbol is gone. I liked it. I have Workbooks where some Sheets are locked and this featur helped a lot to show this. I agree that it should be an option. But oh no it got removed ?!
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John
commented
I would like to see the lock symbol on the tab sheets. Can we have that as an option?
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John Leonard
commented
I found the lock symbol on the tab to be very helpful in most cases. I would vote for it being optional. If possible, it may be best to have it as an on/off option associated with the file, rather than a global option for the user.
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Stephen Rainey
commented
Hello All, I also want to add my vote for retaining (returning) the padlock icon. I manage a hundred sheets per workbook, and I found it very useful. Perhaps, if it were possible to have a range of icons that could be displayed, and colour controlled via macros, would make them multi-functional. Each of my sheets go through several stages of processing that are dependent on real-world events. Being able to identify each sheets status via a coloured icon would save a great deal of time. This perhaps will broaden the appeal of an icon on the Sheet Tab. And, of course it should be optional, so as as to answer the Tab real-estate issue experienced by many.
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[Deleted User]
commented
I want to add my vote for keeping the lock symbol feature and making it an option on/off feature. It was very handy.
I got used to having it and then suddenly as fast as it appeared, it was gone. -
Anonymous
commented
A sheet manager as suggested by Joe would be fantastic. Can I vote for this option?
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Joe
commented
> We appreciate all the suggestions for alternative ways of indicating that a sheet is protected, and
> will take them into account.Guys, just introduce a "sheet manager" so it will be possible to conveniently browse sheets when you have more than 2 of them.
You can add whatever information there, protection status, number of tables, number of objects and so on.
Here's a mock up (I'm sorry about my drawing skills) - https://i.imgur.com/0DJNjkw.png
It would be awesome if this thing would have a shortcut assigned, also don't forget about make it resizable.
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Joe
commented
> Since it’s not new to the other platforms (web, Mac and mobile) and we haven’t had similar
> feedback about it there, we won’t change those for nowNow UI is not consistent across the platforms. Nice...
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Anonymous
commented
I actually thought it was great and very useful as I frequently forget to re-lock sheets after having to make certain edits. I also use multiple sheets and the tabs need to be scrolled through.
Please consider making this an optional feature for users to choose.
Mark
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Bill Richards
commented
I like the lock symbol so I can tell which sheet need to be protected again before closing the workbook. Otherwise I have to open every single tab to verify whether it is protected before I close the workbook
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Anonymous
commented
Personally, I like it. I can understand turning the feature off when you have a large number of sheets but it is nice when there are only a few sheets. My vote is to include the feature but to be able to select whether you want it on or off... maybe have it off by default but with a quick settings change, you could turn it on if wanted. That would work for everyone.
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Dave L
commented
For me, don't like it, never will. But there is there is a strong minority that want it and a strong minority who don't. Most users probably don't care. So come on MS, re-enable it with "on/off" at workbook level and make everybody happy.
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HenryS
commented
Personally, I do not use or need a lock symbol, but it seems a lot of people either like it or need it. What is the problem with making it optional? Ideally, the symbol should be unobtrusive, like an underscore. Or at best it could be user configurable.
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Amber
commented
Please bring it back. Many have commented that they need it over not. Make it an option for the ones who don't to turn it off. Please see these comment Excel Team and work on this request soon.
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None Name
commented
They were very useful - I understand the Real Estate Concern. What about a Highlighted DOT similar to conditional formatting but behind the text/name of the tab.
Also A suggestion around real estate might be to give the user a similar model to the windows task bar for "tabs", allow vertical, allow multiple horizontal rows - user determined
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Anonymous
commented
Can we please have the locks back?
They were very useful - saves a lot of time.
People hardly had a chance to get used to it being there before they were gone. The removal was far too swift, especially when you consider other requests and grumbles people have made (MDI, etc). if some people don't like it then introduce a setup option to give people a choice, don't just take them away, find a fix!
Please have a rethink.
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Anonymous
commented
this was actually very useful on some spreadsheets - although i agree unnecessary on others
why not make it an option in the right click menu so we can all choose whether we want this or not? -
[Deleted User]
commented
Very much liked this option and essential for me as I need to distribute Excel files so want a quick way of seeing that all tabs a locked.
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Anonymous
commented
It should be an optional setting in preferences. I loved it...
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Anonymous
commented
I really liked this option, because I prepare Excel files for colleagues, which I protect against editing certain cells per tab. Now I saw at once whether everything had been secured, now I have to keep looking back to info or per sheet. So please optionally return this option!
