Encrypting and Password Protecting a Microsoft 365 Document

Overview

You can protect sensitive information by adding a password and encryption to Microsoft Word or Excel documents. This ensures only people with the password can open and view the file.

How-To

1. Open your document and click on File
2. Click on Info in the upper left corner
3. Click on Protect Document
4. Select Encrypt with Password
5. Enter a password and click OK
6. Verify the same password and click OK
7. Save your document
8. Close your document and try to reopen it to verify it requires a password

            Note:  If you lose your password there is no way to recover it. You may want to keep a copy of this file on your computer unencrypted.  When sending this file over email you will want to              send the password and the document separately or it defeats the purpose of encrypting the file.  An even better solution is to call the person or tell them in person the password.

Outcome

After encrypting the document and saving it, the file will require a password every time it is opened. This helps keep your data secure, as long as the password is shared safely and not lost.

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