Encrypt and password protect an Office document

Question

How do I password and encrypt an office document?
How do I password protect a Word document?
How do I encrypt a Excel file?

Overview

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.