Save a workbook as read-only - Excel

Every now and then I'm asked how to save an Excel file as read only and/or password protected.
I'm not talking about workbook or worksheet protection but the entire file itself.


You have your file ready and you want to save it but password protected.
Hot to do it  - Step by step.

1 - File > Save As
2 - Select the folder where you want to save it
3 - Choose a name for the file
4 - Click the Tools button (check picture bellow)
5 - Select General Options...

As soon as you've finished Step 5,the following form will pop up and you'll have to decide how do you want to protect your file.

Option #1:  Excel to suggest "Open as Read Only" when you open the excel file

If you only want Excel to suggest to open the Excel File as Read-Only the next time to open the file... just select the "Read-only recommended" option. (see red arrow above). Do not enter any password!

Option #2: File Modify Password Protected

An excel workbook that is Modify Password Protected can be opened but cannot be edited unless you enter the password.

Here is how to do it, step by step:
1 - Enter your passwod in the first empty field - "Password to modify:".
2 - Click OK
3 - A new form will appear, so that you can confirm your password
4 - After entering the same password that you have chosen in the previous step, click OK
5 - Finally, click Save

Option #3: File Open Password Protected

This is the strongest file protection option that you can have. Setting your excel file password protected will  assure that nobody can see see its content unless they enter the password to open it.

Here is how to do it:
1 - Enter your passwod in the first empty field - "Password to open:".
2 - Click OK
3 - A new form will appear, so that you can confirm your password
4 - After entering the same password, click OK
5 - Finally, click Save

Next time you try to open this file, you'll need to enter the password, otherwise it won't open.


Note: Both Options #2 and #3, in case you  have selected the "Read-only recommended" option, Excel will ask if you want to open the file as read-only! Click "No" in case you want to be able to make changes in the file.