Easy Ways to Encrypt Your Sensitive Word Documents with a Password

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Secure your Word files with this simple password-protecting guide
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Do you have Microsoft Word documents with sensitive information? If you have Word files you want to protect, you can easily lock them with a password. You can even mark the file as "Read Only" if you don't want other viewers to make accidental changes. Always use a password you can remember, as you won't be able to recover it if it's lost. Keep reading to learn more.

Password-Protecting Word Documents

  • Windows: Click File > Info > Protect Document > Encrypt with Password , then enter a password when prompted.
  • Mac: Click Review > Protect > Protect Document , then enter a password when prompted.
  • Web: You can't encrypt documents in the web version of Word; you must use the desktop version to password-protect them.
Section 1 of 4:

Using Windows

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  1. This button will be in the top-left corner of the window, next to Home .
    • These steps will work for Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, Word 2024, and Microsoft 365.
  2. It's in the left-hand sidebar, under the Open button.
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  3. This is the first tile of the Info tab, and it has an icon of a lock and key.
    • A drop-down menu will open.
  4. If you want to prevent accidental changes from others when you share a document , you can set it as "Read-Only". Keep in mind that others will be able to change this mode if they choose.
    • To set the document as read-only, click the first option in the drop-down list that has an icon of a pencil and a cancel symbol.
    • If you choose to make your file read-only, you'll need to click the Protect Document button again to open the drop-down.
  5. This option is below Always Open Read-Only and has an icon of a lock and key.
    • A pop-up box will open.
  6. 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 .
    • Passwords, starting with Word 2013 to the current version, can be no longer than 13 characters long.
  7. Input the same password as the previous step.
    • Once you enter the password twice, the Protect Document section will be highlighted, and it will say "A password is required to open this document."
    • If you want to remove the encryption, click Protect Document again, then choose Encrypt with Password . Clear the password field and press ↵ Enter , and the password protection will be removed.
  8. If you're prompted to save your document , be sure to save. When you open the document again, you'll be asked to enter the document's password.
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Section 2 of 4:

Using Mac

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  1. You can find this tab at the top of the window, next to View .
    • These steps will work for Word 2021 for Mac, Word 2024 for Mac, and Microsoft 365.
  2. The icon will look like a padlock in front of a document.
    • A drop-down menu will open.
  3. The Password Protect window will open. [1]
  4. You can set a password to open the document and to modify it. Keep in mind you won't be able to retrieve this password, so use a password you can remember.
    • To mark the document as read-only, check the box for Read-only recommended .
  5. This is the blue button at the bottom-right corner.
    • To remove the password protection on the document, delete the password from the password field.
  6. If you're prompted to save your document, be sure to save. When you open the document again, you'll be asked to enter your password.
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Section 3 of 4:

Older Word Versions

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  1. 1
    Open your file and click the Word button in the upper-left corner. The button is a circle and has the Microsoft Office logo.
    • These steps will work for older Microsoft Word versions, like Word 2007 and Word 2013.
  2. 2
    Click Prepare . It's near the bottom of the list, below the Print button, and it has an icon of a pencil and a sheet of paper.
  3. 3
    Click Encrypt Document . It's got an icon of a lock and key, and it's between Inspect Document and Add a Digital Signature .
  4. 4
    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.
    • Passwords, starting with Word 2013 to the current version, can be no longer than 13 characters long.
  5. 5
    Re-enter the password and click OK . Input the same password as the previous step.
  6. 6
    Save the document. Once you've added your password, save the document to make sure the password is saved. The next time you open the file, you'll be required to type the password to access it. [2]
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Section 4 of 4:

Can you encrypt Word files on the web?

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  1. Unfortunately, you cannot password-protect files in the web version of Word. You also can't open password-protected files in the web version of Microsoft Word. If you need to encrypt a document or open a password-protected file, you'll need to use the desktop version of Word. [3]

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I password protect a Word 2016 document?
    Community Answer
    Open the Word document, click on File then Info then Protect Document then Encrypt with Password, and then you enter the password to the text box to set a password on it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 24
  • Question
    Instead of a password, could I set up a security question for a Word document?
    Community Answer
    No. Microsoft Office has no functionality like this.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 13
  • Question
    How does the recipient get the password to read an encrypted document?
    Community Answer
    You can send the password to the recipient directly via email, text, etc.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Warnings

      • If you forget your password, you won't be able to recover the document, and Microsoft can do nothing to recover it for you.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/protect-a-document-with-a-password-05084cc3-300d-4c1a-8416-38d3e37d6826#ID0EBBF=macOS_-_newer
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L44ezki1TJ0
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/protect-a-document-with-a-password-05084cc3-300d-4c1a-8416-38d3e37d6826#id0ebf=macos

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open the document in Word.
      2. Go to File > Info .
      3. Click Protect Document .
      4. Click Encrypt with Password .
      5. Enter a password and click OK .

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