Set a preference for trying a default decryption password in Excel for Mac
Applies to: Excel for Mac, Excel LTSC for Mac 2021, Excel 2019 for Mac
By default, when Excel opens an encrypted file, Excel tries to use a default password to decrypt the file. This preference prevents Excel, version 16.20 or later, from trying a default decryption password.
Use the following information to configure a policy:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Domain |
com.microsoft.Excel |
| Key |
TryDefaultPassword |
| Data Type |
Boolean |
| Possible values |
No Yes (default) |
The following example sets the option so that Excel doesn't try a default password when opening an encrypted file:
defaults write com.microsoft.Excel TryDefaultPassword -bool No
This key is CFPreferences-compatible, which means that it can be set by using enterprise management software for Mac, such as Jamf Pro.
Related articles
Feedback
Coming soon: Throughout 2024 we will be phasing out GitHub Issues as the feedback mechanism for content and replacing it with a new feedback system. For more information see: https://aka.ms/ContentUserFeedback.
Submit and view feedback for