Unprotect the sheet.

An alternative is to protect the sheet in code and give it a special instruction
that allows either autofiltering or outlining to work on a protected sheet.

If you already have the outline applied, you can protect the worksheet in code
(auto_open/workbook_open??).

Option Explicit
Sub auto_open()
With Worksheets("sheet1")
.Protect Password:="hi", userinterfaceonly:=True
.EnableOutlining = True
.EnableAutoFilter = True
End With
End Sub

It needs to be reset each time you open the workbook. (excel doesn't remember
it after closing the workbook.)

If you're new to macros, you may want to read David McRitchie's intro at:
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm

Haranath wrote:

How can I open or close grouped columns/rows in a protected excel sheet ?

--

Dave Peterson