Protect an Excel file
To prevent others from accessing data in your Excel files, protect your Excel file with a password.
Note: This topic covers file-level protection only, and not workbook or worksheet protection. To learn the difference between protecting your Excel file, workbook, or a worksheet, see Protection and security in Excel.
- Select File >Info.
- Select the Protect Workbook box and choose Encrypt with Password.
- Enter a password in the Password box, and then select OK.
- Confirm the password in the Reenter Password box, and then select OK.
- Microsoft cannot retrieve forgotten passwords, so be sure that your password is especially memorable.
- There are no restrictions on the passwords you use with regards to length, characters or numbers, but passwords are case-sensitive.
- It’s not always secure to distribute password-protected files that contain sensitive information such as credit card numbers.
- Be cautious when sharing files or passwords with other users. You still run the risk of passwords them falling into the hands of unintended users. Remember that locking a file with a password does not necessarily protect your file from malicious intent.
Need more help?
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in Communities.
