How to password protect an Excel file
- Drop the Excel files (.xlsx or .xlsm), up to 50 at once.
- Type the password twice.
- Click Protect and download the encrypted workbooks.
Payroll, price lists, client data, budgets: spreadsheets often hold the most sensitive figures in a company and travel by email or shared drives. A password on the file itself is the simplest protection: whoever gets the workbook without the password sees nothing. This tool applies the same encryption as Excel's File › Info › Protect Workbook › Encrypt with Password.
The result is a standard encrypted XLSX (AES-256, Office agile format). It asks for the password in Excel on Windows and Mac, in Excel Online, LibreOffice Calc, Numbers and Google Sheets. Formulas, formatting, charts, macros in .xlsm files and sheet structure are untouched; only the container is encrypted.
The password cannot be recovered if lost, so store it safely and send it to the recipient separately from the file. If a workbook already has a password, remove it with “Unlock Excel file” and protect it again. Up to 50 files of 300 MB; everything is deleted after 30 minutes and passwords are never stored.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as Excel's own password?
Yes, the standard Office encryption (AES-256). The workbook opens with the password in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Numbers and Google Sheets.
Does it protect single sheets or cells?
No, it protects opening the whole file. To lock cells while leaving the file open, use Excel's Protect Sheet instead.
Are formulas and macros kept?
Yes. Nothing inside the workbook changes; .xlsm macros are kept.
What if I lose the password?
The file cannot be opened by anyone, including us. Keep the password in a safe place.
Is it free and safe?
Free, no account. Files and passwords stay in memory on the server and are deleted after 30 minutes.