Require a password to open or modify a workbook

You can help prevent unauthorized users from opening or modifying a workbook file, even if they have permission to open it.

Caution: When you create a password for a workbook, write down the password and keep it in a secure place. If you lose the password, you can't open or gain access to the password-protected workbook.Passwords in Excel for Mac and Word for Mac have a 15-character limit. You cannot open a workbook or document that has been password protected in the Windows-based version of Excel or Word if the password is longer than fifteen characters. If you want to open the file in Office for Mac, ask the Windows-based author to adjust the password length.

Do any of the following:

Require a password to open a workbook

1. Open the workbook that you want to protect.

2. On the Review tab, under Protection, click Passwords.

   

3. In the Password to open box, type a password, and then click OK.

4. In the Confirm Password dialog box, type the password again, and then click OK.

5. Click Save  .

   Tip: To remove a password, select all contents in the Password to open box, and then press DELETE .

Require a password to modify a workbook

You can add a password so that only authorized users can make changes to a workbook. Users who are not authorized can still open the workbook and then save it by using a different file name.

Note: Unlike workbook element protection, which prevents changes to the structure and windows of a workbook, workbook-level password security helps protect the entire file against unwanted changes..

1. Open the document that you want to help protect.

2. On the Review tab, under Protection, click Passwords.

3. In the Password to modify box, type a password, and then click OK.

4. In the Confirm Password dialog box, type the password again, and then click OK.

5. Click Save  .

   Tip: To remove a password, select all contents in the Password to modify box, and then press DELETE .

See also

Protect a sheet

Protect a workbook

Restrict permission to content in a file

Change or remove workbook passwords