> 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/9.3-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 name of the worksheet within the MS Excel file in which to write the incoming rows from PDI. Variables or parameters can be used in this field.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| **Make this the active sheet (check box)**       | <p>If checked, the MS Excel file will open by default on the above sheet when the file is opened in Excel.</p><ul><li>Select this option to make the specified sheet the default sheet 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>If the sheet already exists in the output file, decide if you want to replace it with the new sheet or keep the original sheet. 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><strong>Write to existing sheet</strong>: Keep the existing sheet and write the new data to it.</li><li><strong>Replace with new sheet</strong>: Overwrite the existing sheet with the new sheet in the output file.</li></ul> |
| **Protect sheet? (XLS format only) (check box)** | <p>The XLS file format allows to protect an entire sheet from changes. If selected, you need to provide a password. MS Excel will indicate that the sheet was protected by the user you specify here.</p><ul><li>Select to protect the Excel sheet from editing with a specified user and password.</li><li>Clear to leave your Excel 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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