TLC Tips of the Week:                          from Helen Olberg

This week’s tip applies to password-protecting your document or spreadsheet files in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. You may require a password to open a file and/or a password to modify the file.

As always, when you create a password, write it down and keep it in a secure place. If you lose the password, you cannot open or gain access to the password-protected document. Passwords are case-sensitive, so you can vary the capitalization when you create the password. You may use any combination of letters, numerals, spaces, and symbols, up to 15 characters long.

NOTE: There are additional ways to protect individual forms and cells – a later topic.

In Word:

1.       Open the file.

2.       On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click Security.

3.       To require the password to open or view the document:

·         In the Password to open box, you may type a password, and then click OK.

·         In the Reenter password to open box, type the password again, and then click OK.

4.       To require a password to modify the document:

·          Password to modify box, type a password, and then click OK.

·         In the Reenter password to modify box, type the password again, and then click OK.

In Excel:

1.       On the File menu, click Save As.

2.       On the Tools menu, click General Options.

3.       Do either or both of the following:

o        If you want users to enter a password before they can view the workbook, type your password in the Password to open box, and then click OK.

o        If you want users to enter a password before they can save changes to the workbook, type a password in the Password to modify box, and then click OK.

4.       When prompted, retype your passwords to confirm them.

5.       Click Save.

6.       If prompted, click Yes to replace the existing workbook.

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