2 Easy Ways to Put a Password on a Microsoft Word Document

• On Windows, open a document. Click "File" → "Info" → "Protect Document" → "Encrypt with Password" → enter a password → "OK".
• On Mac, open a document. Click the "Review" tab → "Protect" → "Protect Document". Enter a password and click "OK".
• Since you won't be able to retrieve a lost password, be sure to use a password you can remember or write it down.

Using Windows

Open a document in Microsoft Word. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to install for Windows. You must have a subscription to use Office 365.

Click File. This will be at the top-left corner of the window, next to Home. A new page will open.

Click Info. You can find this in the left panel.

Click Protect Document. This is the first tile of the Info tab. A drop-down menu will open.

Set as Read-Only (optional). If you want to prevent accidental changes from others when you share a document, you can set it as "Read-Only". Keep in mind that others will be able to change this mode if they choose. Click Always Open Read-Only in the drop-down menu. You'll see an icon of a pencil and cancel symbol underneath Protect Document.

Click Encrypt with Password. This will be below Always Open Read-Only. A pop-up box will open.

Enter a password and click OK. Keep in mind you won't be able to reset or recover the password if you forget it. Be sure to use a password you can remember.

Re-enter the password and click OK. Input the same password as the previous step. You should now see a lock and key icon underneath Protect Document.

Close the document. If you're prompted to save your document, be sure to save. When you open the document again, you'll be asked to enter in your password.

Using Mac

Open a document in Microsoft Word. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to download for macOS. You must have a subscription to use Microsoft Word and Office 365.

Click Review. This is the tab at the top, next to View.

Click Protect. The icon will look like a padlock in front of a document. A drop-down menu will open.

Click Protect Document. The Password Protect window will open.

Enter a password. You can set a password to open the document and to modify the document. Keep in mind you won't be able to retrieve this password, so use a password you can remember. To mark the document as read only, check the box for Read-only recommended.

Click OK. This is the blue button at the bottom-right corner.

Close the document. If you're prompted to save your document, be sure to save. When you open the document again, you'll be asked to enter in your password.