How do I password-protect a Microsoft Word file?

How do I protect a microsoft file with a password on my Mac? The purpose is, i don't want word to open up my file without asking for a password.. every time i'll open my file i want that it will ask always a password...

Dave's Answer:

This is a fairly straightforward process, but it can be hard to find the correct options given the incredible complexity of Microsoft Word.

Once you've finished typing in your document, choose "Save As..." from the File menu, at which point you're presented with this busy dialog box:

Setting a document password in Microsoft Word for Mac OS X

Specify the name as desired on the top, then click on the Options... button near the bottom. You'll then be switched to a preferences-like dialog box where everything but two options are grayed out:

Click on Security on the left hand list and now you'll see what you seek:

You can specify an open password - which is what it sounds like you want - or you can specify an edit password, which will make the document readable to all, but only editable to people who know the password you've specified.

Either way, enter your password (carefully!), click OK and you'll be asked to confirm the password:

Confirming a document password in Microsoft Word for Mac OS X

Assuming you type it in correctly both times, click on "OK" and you will be taken back to the original save dialog. Make sure it's named as you desire and that it's going to be saved in the correct location, click "OK" one more time, and your document will be saved, password protected!

Now, when someone opens it, instead of seeing the document, they'll see this:

Entering a document password in Microsoft Word for Mac OS X

Type in the password correctly and you're good to edit. Type it in incorrectly and you're barred from even seeing the contents of the file!

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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 7143, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: microsoft office, microsoft word, passwords, security, word for mac
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Reader Comments To Date: 15

Simon said, on January 16, 2007 5:07 PM:

Is this method still as insecure as it used to be?

Paul Kosinski said, on January 17, 2007 9:55 PM:

But before you bet your innermost secrets on password-protected Word documents, take a look at "Web service for decrypting password protected Word and Excel documents" at http://www.heise-security.co.uk/news/82998.

Alex Mos said, on January 19, 2007 7:24 AM:

If someone wants to see what's inside of that document he just needs to do a search on "word doc password recovery" and there are a lots of results with applications that will crash the password protection or will simply tell you what's the password... kind of sad...

prince said, on March 23, 2007 11:58 PM:

Hi, this one was really helpful.. but can u just help me finding the same password as i've saved the document and now forgotten the password...

Amal H said, on April 1, 2007 4:48 AM:

How do i cancel password protection when i log in to my computer! i can change the password but not cancel/ stop it asking for a password.

syed said, on May 9, 2007 11:44 AM:

as you have given in your article abot word protection i have a word doc in which i want to edit some or part of document and keeping the rest as read only can u let me know how should i proceed.
kind regards

Mohan Bajaj said, on November 3, 2008 11:22 PM:

i want save my work any do not copy my file but read only

Ankit said, on July 4, 2009 11:19 AM:

Wonderful explaination. its a bit more technical for a non techie like me. I found a more easy to understand solution on this site.

http://dummy-essentials.blogspot.com/2009/07/password-protect-files-in-ms-office.html

Annie said, on August 12, 2009 2:07 AM:

Hi!

Thanks so much!!!

A

AS said, on November 9, 2009 8:36 PM:

This helped me so much! Thank you!!

-Another A

Brittney said, on May 12, 2010 1:20 PM:

Thank you, your information was straightforward and helpful! Just the way I like it!

Brian Moseley said, on January 4, 2011 7:36 AM:

very helpful! Thanks!

David said, on March 7, 2011 12:57 AM:

Dave, thanks a lot. I did it(create a password,ie) a year ago, but had forgotten by the time I came around to changing it! Even no joy from Apple Word Help.

alexis said, on September 6, 2011 9:08 PM:

thanks!! this helped a lot! :D

Mike said, on February 22, 2013 7:13 AM:

Just what I needed. Thank you!

Mike

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I password-protect a Microsoft Word file?

Reader Comments To Date: 15

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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