How to Password Protect a Word Document
Payslips, medical letters, contracts — some documents shouldn't be opened by just anyone. Word can encrypt a document so nobody can open it without the password.
Quick reference
| What you want | How |
|---|---|
| Password to open | File → Info → Protect Document → Encrypt with Password |
| Remove the password | Same place, delete the password |
| Let people read but not edit | Review → Restrict Editing |
1. Add a password
1. Open the document.
2. Go to File → Info.
3. Click Protect Document → Encrypt with Password.
4. Type a password and click OK.
5. Type it again to confirm and click OK.
6. Save the document.
2. Go to File → Info.
3. Click Protect Document → Encrypt with Password.
4. Type a password and click OK.
5. Type it again to confirm and click OK.
6. Save the document.
Next time anyone opens it, Word asks for the password first.
⚠️ Write the password down
Microsoft cannot recover a lost password for an encrypted document. If you forget it, the document is gone. Store it in a password manager.
2. Remove the password
1. Open the document with the password.
2. File → Info → Protect Document → Encrypt with Password.
3. Delete the dots in the box so it's empty.
4. Click OK and save.
2. File → Info → Protect Document → Encrypt with Password.
3. Delete the dots in the box so it's empty.
4. Click OK and save.
3. Read-only instead of locked
Want people to open it but not change it?
1. Go to Review → Restrict Editing.
2. Tick Allow only this type of editing in the document and choose No changes (Read only).
3. Click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection and optionally add a password.
2. Tick Allow only this type of editing in the document and choose No changes (Read only).
3. Click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection and optionally add a password.
This isn't encryption — it stops accidental edits rather than determined ones.
4. Always open read-only
File → Info → Protect Document → Always Open Read-Only shows a yellow bar suggesting readers don't edit. Anyone can click past it, so treat it as a polite request.
On a Mac
Go to Review → Protect Document, set a password under Set a password to open this document, and click OK.
Sharing online?
If you share from OneDrive, you can set a password and expiry date on the sharing link itself (with a Microsoft 365 subscription).
Wrapping up
Encrypt with Password for real security, Restrict Editing to stop changes. And never lose that password.
