If you have a Word document or an Excel worksheet/workbook that contains confidential/private information, you might've considered protecting it with a password. The problem is you don't know how or you forgot; like I often do. The good news is...it's very simple.

Start Word/Excel 2003 > click on Tools > Options > Security. UnderFile encryption options for this document there's a box next toPassword to open:, type your password here, and then click OK. You will be asked to confirm that password so you will have to re-enter it and then click OK. Save it. That's it!

Now every time you or someone else attempts to open your password protected document, they will be prompted to enter the password. If you are using Office 2007, like myself, I've got you covered as well. Same simple process, start Word/Excel 2007 > click on the Office Orb at the top left of the application > Prepare > Encrypt Document. Enter your password and re-enter it to confirm and click OK. Save it. That's it!

What if you wanted to remove or change the password? Easy! Just apply the exact same steps except this time your password will already be there so all you have to do is simply delete the password (press the delete or backspace key on your keyboard) or change it to something else. Click OK and save the document. That's it!

Here's two quick video to help those with visual necessity: