> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pentaho.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/pdi-transformation-steps-reference-overview/microsoft-excel-writer/options-microsoft-excel-writer/file-and-sheet-tab/sheet-panel.md).

# Sheet panel

This panel includes fields for setting security for the spreadsheet in the MS Excel output file.

| Field                                | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Sheet name (max. 31 characters)**  | Specify the worksheet's name in the MS Excel file to write the incoming rows from PDI. Variables or parameters can be used in this field.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Make this the active sheet**       | <p>Specify whether the MS Excel file opens by default on the Excel sheet, above.</p><ul><li>Select this option to make the specified sheet the default when the file opens in Excel.</li><li>Clear this option if you do not want to set a default sheet.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **If sheet exists in output file**   | <p>Specify whether to replace an existing Excel sheet in the output file with the new sheet or to keep the original. For example, you may be using a template sheet or writing to existing files, and therefore may choose to overwrite or replace the sheet.</p><ul><li>Select <strong>Write to existing sheet</strong> to keep the existing sheet and write the new data to it.</li><li>Select <strong>Replace with new sheet</strong> to overwrite the existing sheet with the new sheet in the output file.</li></ul> |
| **Protect sheet? (XLS format only)** | <p>Specify whether to password protect the Excel sheet from changes.</p><ul><li>Select to protect the sheet from editing with a specified user and password.</li><li>Clear to leave the sheet unprotected. Any user can make changes to it.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Protected by user**                | Specify the name of the user you want shown in MS Excel as password-protecting this sheet. Variables or parameters can be used in this field.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Password**                         | Specify the password for unlocking the editing features for this sheet in MS Excel. Variables or parameters can be used in this field.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |


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