How to Password-Protect an Excel File
- George Apostolov
How to Password-Protect an Excel File: step-by-step guide
Inside your Microsoft Excel worksheet, go to the top menu bar and click 'Review'.
Choose 'Protect Workbook' from the available options.
After that, nominate a strong password and enter it into the provided input field. Subsequently, retype the password to verify the combination.
Once done, tap 'OK' to apply the changes.
After completing these steps, your Excel file will be password-protected.
Quick answer: To secure your Microsoft Excel worksheet, go to the top menu bar, click Review, and choose Protect Workbook. Next, enter and retype a strong password to verify the combination, then tap OK to apply the changes and successfully password-protect your file.
About this Excel tutorial
Secure your sensitive data by adding a password to your Excel file through the Review and Protect Workbook menu options. This guide shows how to password-Protect an Excel File in 5 steps, starting with "Inside your Microsoft Excel worksheet, go to the top menu bar and click 'Review'" and finishing with "After completing these steps, your Excel file will be password-protected". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Excel interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to password-Protect an Excel File?
5 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Excel data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Excel. Related guides: How to Plot the Microsoft Excel Data on a Line Chart, How to Print Gridlines in Microsoft Excel and How to Print the Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet on One Page. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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