In older versions of MS Word, we saw how to password protect a Word Document. Come Word 2007, since the interface is entirely overhauled, you’ll find it difficult to find that nifty Security tool, which is of course still there.
Just click on the Office Button (top left button), go to prepare and then select ‘Encrypt Document’. Enter the password, twice, and then select Ok. Your Word document is now both Encrypted and Password protected. For additional encryption, you may be asked to make use of the Microsoft Office Word 2007 XML tools, which you can choose or neglect, depending on your needs. There will be no change to your Word document either way as you’ll need to input your password to open the file.
If you use this ‘Encrypt Document’ feature regularly, you may want to keep that in your Quick Access Toolbar for easy access. Just right click when the cursor is on ‘Encrypt Document’ and select ‘Add to Quick Access Toolbar’.
Quick Access Toolbar is the top most portion of your Word Document, similar to the Title bar of the Web Browser. You’ll find the Encrypt Document icon (with a lock and a key Symbol) beside options like Save, Undo typing, Repeat Typing etc.
How to remove the Password
In case you want to remove the password, proceed the same way, Click Office button, then Prepare, then Encrypt Document. When the Password box Pops up, simply delete the password and save the file.
