If you have sensitive data you'd like to keep from prying eyes in a Microsoft Excel file, the easiest way to protect it is with Excel's built-in password tools.

At the file level, you can password protect an Excel workbook in two ways: You can determine who can get in and who can save changes.

Add passwords if you want Excel to prompt for a password before allowing a user to open or modify the workbook file.

Key Takeaways : Excel spreadsheets can be protected by Edit Ranges, Sheet Protection, Workbook Protection, File Modify Password, VBA Project Password, and File Open Password.