How to Password Protect a Microsoft Word Document

This updated guide examines How to Password Protect a Microsoft Word Document and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Responsible-use note: Apply security techniques only to systems you own or are explicitly authorized to test.

Method 1of 2:

On Windows

1. Open your Microsoft Word document. Double-click the Word document that you want to protect with a password. The document will open in Microsoft Word.
   • If you haven't yet created the document: open Microsoft Word, click Blank document , and create your document before continuing.
2. ClickFile. It's a tab in the upper-left corner of the Word window. Doing so will open the File menu.
3. Click theInfotab. You'll find this at the top of the column of options that's on the far-left side of the window.
   • If nothing happens when you click Info , you're already on the Info tab.
4. ClickProtect Document. It's a lock icon below the document's name near the top of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
5. ClickEncrypt with Password. This option is near the top of the drop-down menu. Clicking it prompts a window to open.
6. Enter a password. Type the password that you want to use into the "Password" text field in the middle of the window.
7. ClickOK. It's at the bottom of the pop-up window.
8. Re-enter the password, then clickOK. This will confirm your password choice. Once you close the document, no one will be able to re-open it without typing in the password.
   • You can still delete the document without opening it or entering the password.

Method 2of 2:

On Mac

1. Open your Microsoft Word document. Double-click the Word document that you want to protect with a password. The document will open in Microsoft Word.
   • If you haven't yet created the document, open Microsoft Word and create your document before continuing.
2. ClickReview. This tab is at the top of the Microsoft Word window. Clicking Review prompts a toolbar to appear below the row of tabs at the top of the window.^[1]
3. ClickProtect Document. It's a lock-shaped icon on the far-right side of the toolbar. A pop-up window will appear.
4. Enter a password. Type a password into the "Password" field at the top of the window. This will prevent people from being able to open the document without first entering the password.
   • If you want to prevent people from modifying the document, type a password into the bottom text field on this window.
5. ClickOK. It's at the bottom of the pop-up window.
6. Re-enter your password(s), then clickOK. This will confirm your password choice. Once you close the document, no one will be able to re-open it without typing in the password.