How to protect a Word document with a password in ONLYOFFICE

With ONLYOFFICE Docs, you can protect your docx files with a password so that no one is able to open the document without entering it.

How to set a password

• Launch the document editor.
• Go to the File tab, choose the Protect option and click the Add password button.

OR

• Go to the Protection tab and click the Encrypt button.
• Set a strong combination of characters, repeat it, and click OK:

Now, you need to enter the password every time you open the file for editing. If you want to co-author this document, tell the secret word to other collaborators.

How to boost document protection

Starting from version 7.3 of ONLYOFFICE Docs, you are able to password protect your text documents and at the same time allow only certain actions in the file: reading, filling forms, commenting, or tracking changes.

This option is accessible via the Protection tab —> Protect Document:

If someone doesn’t have appropriate editing rights, they will see an error message.

How to change and delete a password

If you want to create a new password or no longer need protection for a specific file, you can easily change or delete it.

Just go to the File tab —> Protect or Protection tab —> Encrypt, and then choose the corresponding option.

How to set a password in desktop app

You can also protect documents in ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

If you then upload a password-protected Word document created in ONLYOFFICE desktop to your online office, the protection will be preserved as well.

Forgot a password?

If a docx file is of a great importance for you, it is strongly recommended to save the password using any manager or memorize it, since there is no recovery option.

So, if you forget or lose the password, there is no possibility to restore or reset it and open the word file.