5 Excel Security Measures To Undertake
Regularly backing up data as a safety measure is insufficient. There are no perfect solutions or impenetrable software programs in the world, and you may one day find your workbook files at the mercy of bugs or other problems like hackers. Secure and safeguard sensitive data in Excel with these 5 Excel security measures and earn yourself peace of mind even while away from the office.
- Worksheet protection
One of the most common form of Excel security measures a user could undertake would be to protect a worksheet in their Excel files. This prevents others from changing the cell formatting. In order to protect an Excel worksheet, select review, changer and look for the protect sheet option. Once the ‘protect sheet’ option is selected, a dialog box listing all the various different methods of protecting the worksheet would appear for the user’s selection. The user can then simply select those options or go through the option of coming up with a password as well as an added step where only those with the password can unprotect the worksheet.
- Workbook protection
Another effective method of safeguarding data would be to protect the workbook itself. Microsoft Excel has 3 security options for users to choose from- setting up passwords, preventing users from making changes to worksheets, and preventing users from changing size and position. To set up a password for the workbook file, select the ‘File’ tab and search for ‘Info’. The section will make ‘Protect Workbook’ available for choosing. Go ahead and select before choosing ‘Encrypt with Password’. When it comes to protecting the workbook’s structure, users can accomplish that by locating ‘Review’, ‘Changes’ and selecting ‘Protect Workbook’ to open up a dialog box of options to choose from.
- Limiting movement
One of the lesser known yet effective methods out of all Excel security measures to try would be to limit the changes other users can make in a shared worksheet. Look for the ‘Developer’ tab and select ‘Properties under the controls group’. Once done, the properties dialog box should appear. Enable selection, and choose one from the three options Microsoft Excel has made available- xINo Restrictions (selection allowed for locked and unlocked cells), xlUnLockedCells (selection allowed for unlocked cells), and xlNo Selection (selection is not allowed).
- Digital Signature
Set a digital signature on Excel worksheets by selecting ‘File’, choosing ‘Finish’ and ‘Add a digital signature’ to leave your own distinctive mark on the worksheets. Digital signatures can be created using signature services from the certified Microsoft Office resources section or creating a digital ID.
- Fully hiding sheets
Unfortunately, not many Excel users are aware that despite having a worksheet hidden, the worksheet is still visible under the list of hidden worksheets in the Unhide section when the Excel workbook file is not protected. In order to keep the Excel Worksheet fully hidden, search for the Properties icon from the Control toolbox toolbar. Select the visible dropdown list and choose xlSheetVeryHidden. This would effectively hide the worksheet and keep it undetectable by others.
These are just 5 Excel security measures that users can use to safeguard sensitive data. While they do not offer 100% complete protection, these security measures alone allow the user a better chance at storing sensitive data away from detection. Excel users are highly recommended to take steps in protecting their data today!