7-ZipĪ great method for encrypting multiple Excel files at the same time is to use the free archive tool, 7-Zip to password protect multiple Excel files. You might use a combination of additional security features alongside the Excel spreadsheet password protection option, especially if you’re sharing an Excel spreadsheet. Add a Digital Signature: The digital signature option verifies that the file remains untampered between the sender and recipient, ensuring the content is the same.Restrict Access: An option large organizations can use to restrict access to certain individuals using security templates or other identifiers.You can use a different password for this option, too. People with access to the Excel file can still see the spreadsheet but cannot make any changes without the correct password. Protect Current Sheet: You can add a small additional layer of protection to a specific spreadsheet within your workbook when you password protect an Excel sheet.However, marking a spreadsheet as final does not provide any additional password protection. Mark as Final: Marks the file as complete, which informs other users of the spreadsheet that they should not make any changes.Microsoft Excel has a few extra security features, too: Office 2016-2019 uses the AES-256 encryption algorithm, which is unbreakable within a reasonable timeframe using existing technology. Microsoft Office 2007-2013 saw an upgraded encryption algorithm, switching to the much stronger AES-128 algorithm. The older encryption algorithm has numerous vulnerabilities, which makes cracking the password on an older Excel document incredibly easy. Microsoft Office 97-2003 used a very poor encryption standard, known as RC4.

New to Excel? Check out our Microsoft Excel basics tutorial to learn the ropes – fast! How Secure Is Microsoft Office Password Protection?

Next time you attempt to open the Excel spreadsheet, you’ll meet the password entry form.

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