As technology is advancing, the need for safeguarding our data is also essential. It is more important than ever to keep your sensitive data under lock and key. When it comes to Excel files, there are often times when we have to share the file with others and consequently, we may also have to share sensitive data. Or, we may have to use a shared computer, in which case, it is crucial to password-protect your Excel files. In this article, we will explore how to password protect an Excel file in just a minute.

Step 1: Open the Excel File

The first step is to open the Excel file that you want to protect. You can just double-click on the file to open it.

Step 2: Click on ‘File’

Once you open the file, you will see a bunch of tabs at the top. Click on the ‘File’ option located on the top left-hand side of the screen. This will open up the options menu.

Step 3: Click on ‘Info’

After clicking on ‘File’, you will see a menu on the left. Click on ‘Info’. You will notice several options on the right-hand side of your screen.

Step 4: Select ‘Protect Workbook’

Now, under ‘Info’, you will see an option called ‘Protect Workbook’. Go ahead and click on it.

Step 5: Click on ‘Encrypt with Password’

From the options that appear when you clicked on ‘Protect Workbook’, select ‘Encrypt with Password’.

Step 6: Set Password

A box will appear where it will prompt you to set a password to encrypt the file. Enter a strong and complex password. Make sure that you store the password in a safe place so that you can recover it if you forget it.

Step 7: Re-enter Password

Once you have set the password, it will prompt you to re-enter it. Make sure that you type the password exactly as you wrote it. Re-entering your password ensures that you have entered the correct password.

Step 8: Confirm Password

If you have entered both passwords accurately, press ‘OK’. Your file is now protected with a password.