Set a password in an Excel spreadsheet


Excel 2007

To encrypt your workbook and set a password to open it:

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonOffice button image, point to Prepare, and then click Encrypt Document.

    Encrypt Document

  2. In the Password box, type a password, and then click OK.

    You can type up to 255 characters. By default, this feature uses AES 128-bit advanced encryption. Encryption is a standard method used to help make your file more secure.

  3. In the Reenter password box, type the password again, and then click OK.

  4. To save the password, save the file.

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Remove password protection from an Excel spreadsheet

  1. Use the password to open the spreadsheet.

  2. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonOffice button image, point to Prepare, and then click Encrypt Document.

  3. In the Encrypt Document dialog box, in the Password box, delete the encrypted password, and then click OK.

  4. Save the spreadsheet.