How Do I ... Password Protect Microsoft Word and Excel Documents
Contents
- Introduction
- Microsoft Word Password Protection
- Microsoft Excel Password Protection
- Attaching Password Protected Files to Email Messages
- Opening Password Protected Attachments
Introduction
Microsft Word and Microsoft Excel both have the ability to assist you in protecting your document's security. This "How Do I" document provides you with the steps necessary to protect your document from prying eyes.
Please remember that when password protecting a document, the person who is receiving the document must also have the password or they will not be able to view or modify it.
IMPORTANT: Do not include the password in the same email as the file you are sending. If the email is intercepted the person intercepting it will have both the document and the password, defeating the purpose of password protecting the document in the first place.
Microsoft Word Password Protection
Once you have completed your document there are only a few simple steps required to protect it. First left-click on the "Tools" menu and then select "Options" from the drop down menu.
On the "Options" screen that appears you must left-click on the 'Security' tab to display the window shown below.
Once you have clicked on the 'Security Tab' you must enter a password
in the
'Password to Open:'
box. Doing this prevents anyone from being able to open the document
without the password you assign.
Remember to use a unique password that will not be easy for someone else
to figure out.
Click on OK once you have chosen a password. The window shown below will
appear asking you to verify the password you entered.
Once you have done this save the document as you normally would and forward
it as usual.
If you require assistance with attaching the document to an email message
refer to
'Attaching Password Protected Files to Email Messages'
.
Microsoft Excel Password Protection
Once you have completed your document there are only a few simple steps required to protect it. First left-click on the "Tools" menu and then select "Options" from the drop down menu.
On the "Options" screen that appears you must left-click on the 'Security' tab to display the window shown below.
Once you have clicked on the 'Security Tab' you must enter a password
in the
'Password to Open:'
box. Doing this prevents anyone from being able to open the document
without the password you assign.
Remember to use a unique password that will not be easy for someone else
to figure out.
Click on OK once you have chosen a password. The window shown below will
appear asking you to verify the password you entered.
Once you have done this save the document as you normally would and forward
it as usual.
If you require assistance with attaching the document to an email message
refer to
'Attaching Password Protected Files to Email Messages'
.
Attaching Password Protected Files to E-mail Messages
If you have questions about attaching your now-password protected documents to an email message please refer to the How Do I ... Understand Email Attachments
Opening Password Protected Attachments
There is only one extra step required when you are trying to open a password
protected Word or Excel file that you have received.
As you are opening the file in the normal way, you will see the dialogue
box below open up. It requires that you enter the password chosen by the
person who created the file. Enter it into the white box and hit OK and
the file will open.
Disclaimer: The provided instructions are for information purposes only. Neither The University of Western Ontario nor the Division of Information Technology Services assume any responsibility for loss of use or damage to a computer system (including any data or software contained within the computer system) which is the result (directly or indirectly) of the application of these instructions. Any problems, questions or concerns not addressed by these instructions should be directed to the vendor and/or the manufacturer and not to The University of Western Ontario or any of its employees or incumbents.
©2010, The University of Western Ontario. Permission is granted to copy in whole or in part provided that due credit is given to the authors, Information Technology Services, and The University of Western Ontario.
