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Lesson 94 of 104 2 min Updated Completed

How to Password Protect an Excel File

To stop anyone from opening an Excel file without permission, add a password to open. Excel encrypts the file, and nobody can open it without the password.

  1. Open the file.

  2. Click File > Save As > Browse.

    Save As > Browse on the File tab

  3. In the Save As dialog box, click Tools > General Options.

    Tools > General Options in the Save As dialog box

  4. In Password to open, type a password and click OK. (This example uses protect.)

    Entering a password to open

  5. Type the password again to confirm it, and click OK.

    Confirming the password

  6. Type a file name and click Save.

    Saving the protected file

Result: the file now asks for the password whenever someone opens it.

Note: Write your password down somewhere safe. If you forget it, Microsoft can’t recover it, and neither can anyone else.

Tip: A quicker way: File > Info > Protect Workbook > Encrypt with Password. To remove the password, open the same box, clear the password, and click OK.