from ironxl import * # Load the Excel workbook workbook = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx") worksheet = workbook.DefaultWorkSheet # Open a protected spreadsheet file protected_workbook = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx", "IronSoftware") # Spreadsheet protection # Set protection for the spreadsheet file workbook.Encrypt("IronSoftware") # Remove protection for the spreadsheet file. Original password is not required. workbook.Password = None workbook.Save() # Worksheet protection # Set protection for an individual worksheet worksheet.ProtectSheet("IronXL") # Remove protection for a particular worksheet. It works without a password! worksheet.UnprotectSheet() workbook.Save()

Protect Excel Files

The Encrypt method in IronXL gives Python developers the ability to apply password protection to both entire Excel workbooks and individual worksheets. This is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring that only authorized users can open or modify Excel files generated by your Python application.

IronXL also supports sheet-level protection, which prevents users from editing specific worksheets while still allowing them to view or interact with data. This is particularly useful in collaborative environments where write access needs to be restricted. Protection can be added or removed programmatically, providing flexibility for both secure and temporarily accessible workflows.

5 Steps to Encrypt a Workbook with Password in Python

workbook = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx")
workbook.Encrypt("myP@ssw0rd")
worksheet = workbook.DefaultWorkSheet
worksheet.ProtectSheet("myP@ssw0rd_sheet")
workbook.Save()

WorkBook.Load opens the existing Excel file from disk. Once loaded, the Encrypt method applies a password at the workbook level, preventing the file from being opened without the correct credentials.

The DefaultWorkSheet property retrieves the primary worksheet. Calling ProtectSheet on it adds a second layer of security at the sheet level, restricting edits even for users who can open the workbook.

Finally, Save persists both the workbook-level encryption and the sheet-level protection, so the security settings are preserved in the output file. This two-level approach covers both read access and edit access control in a single workflow.

Learn How to Set Passwords on Excel Workbooks in Python