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.

There are several options available to you to protect your Excel file with a password. Remember that once you protect the Excel file, you cannot open it without entering the password.

Step 1: In Excel, open the document you want to secure with a password. Step 2: Click File, followed by Info. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends ...