Password-protect an exported PDF
Require a password before someone can open the finished PDF.
Before you start: Choose a strong password and decide how you will share it separately from the PDF.
Finish the document
Complete your edits and continue to Review & Export.
Choose PDF
Under Choose a format, keep PDF selected. Password protection applies to PDF output.
Turn on password protection
Enable Protect with a password, then enter and confirm the password exactly.
Export and test it
Choose Export PDF, save the file, close it, and reopen it. Confirm that the correct password works and a wrong password does not.
Tip: Send the password by a different channel. Do not place it in the same email as the protected PDF.
Common questions
Can the password be recovered later?
Do not rely on recovery. Keep the password in an approved password manager and retain the unprotected source when your policy allows it.
Can I password-protect Word or Excel output here?
No. This option protects exported PDFs. Use the protection features in Word or Excel for those formats.