So you have an Excel workbook that contains confidential information. You want to prevent unauthorised access to the file. One way is to assign a password to the file. When anyone tries to open the file, they are asked for the password:
Warning! There are many "password crackers" available via the Internet. Setting a password on a file is more of a deterrent. If someone is determined to break in to the file, they probably will.
Select File > Save As
Click the Tools button at the bottom of the dialog box and select General Options
Create the password that must be entered by anyone who wants to open the file by typing it into the "Password to open" field (note – passwords are case-sensitive) and click OK
Re-enter the password and click OK
Click Save to complete the save
When you attempt to open a password protected document, a dialog box is displayed, requesting the password.
Type in the password and click OK
To remove the "password to open":
- Open the file
- Select File > Save As
- Click the Tools button at the bottom of the dialog box
- Select General Options
- Delete the asterisks (that represent the password) from the Password to Open field
- Click OK
- Save the file