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A quick guide to putting a required password on a file in Microsoft Excel
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Do you have an important Excel file you want to protect? You can easily lock your Excel workbook with a password. For even more safety, you can set the spreadsheet as "Read Only". This prevents accidental editing from any viewers. Be sure to use a password you can remember, as you won't be able to reset it. This wikiHow will show you how to password-protect a file in Microsoft Excel using your Windows or Mac computer.
Things You Should Know
- Click "File" → "Info" → "Protect Workbook" → "Encrypt with Password". Enter a password twice and click "OK".
- To set as Read-Only, click "File" → "Info" → "Protect Workbook" → "Always Open Read-Only".
- Be sure to use a password you can remember; you won't be able to reset it if you forget.
Steps
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Open a project in Microsoft Excel. If needed, you can create a new spreadsheet . [1] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
- Microsoft Excel is available to download on Windows and Mac . You can also use the online web version at https://www.office.com/ .
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Click File . This will be at the top-left corner of the window, next to Home .
- A new page will open.
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Click Info . You can find this in the left panel.
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Click Protect Workbook . This is the first tile of the Info tab.
- A drop-down menu will open.
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Set as Read-Only (optional). If you want to prevent accidental changes from others when you share your workbook , you can set the workbook as "Read-Only". Keep in mind that others will be able to change this mode if they choose.
- Click Always Open Read-Only in the drop-down menu.
- You'll see an icon of a pencil and cancel symbol underneath Protect Workbook .
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Click Encrypt with Password . This will be below Always Open Read-Only .
- A pop-up box will open.
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Enter a password and click OK . Keep in mind you won't be able to reset or recover the password if you forget it. Be sure to use a password you can remember .
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Re-enter the password and click OK . Input the same password as the previous step.
- You should now see a lock and key icon underneath Protect Workbook .
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Close the workbook. If you're prompted to save, be sure to save. When you open the workbook again, you'll be asked to enter in your password.
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Open a project in Microsoft Excel. If needed, you can create a new one.
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Click Review . This is the tab at the top, next to Data .
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Click Protect Workbook . This is in the "Changes" section.
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Check the "Structure" box. If you have also set up specific windows within the file, check the pertinent box as well.
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Type in your password. Be sure to use a password you can remember, as you won't be able to reset it. You may need to do this twice.
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Click OK . Your Excel file is now password-protected. When you open it, you'll be asked to input your password.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI have made a sheet in Excel which contains 2000 names and addresses, so now I want to make this sequenced. First a, then after that b, c, etc. How do I do this?Sylvia SaltaformajoCommunity AnswerRight-click on the column you want to sort your sheet by. A menu will open. Hover over the "Sort" option in it. You will see another menu, click "Sort A to Z" in it.
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QuestionWhat do I do if I forgot the password?Sylvia SaltaformajoCommunity AnswerUnfortunately you can't recover forgotten passwords for MS Excel spreadsheets. You'll have to recreate a document or recover password using special software. You can find it online, there are many options: Password-Find, Password Lastic, Rixler password recovery, etc.
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Warnings
- Password protecting your Excel sheet will keep the average user from messing around in your files, but a determined user can purchase password-cracking software to view your sheets.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Open the file.
2. Click File
.
3. Click Protect Workbook
.
4. Click Encrypt with Password
.
5. Enter a password.
6. Click OK
.
7. Close the document.
8. Reopen and enter the password.
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 327,896 times.
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