Edit

Workbook.SetPasswordEncryptionOptions method (Excel)

  • Article

Sets the options for encrypting workbooks by using passwords.

Syntax

expression.SetPasswordEncryptionOptions (PasswordEncryptionProvider, PasswordEncryptionAlgorithm, PasswordEncryptionKeyLength, PasswordEncryptionFileProperties)

expression A variable that represents a Workbook object.

Parameters

Name Required/Optional Data type Description
PasswordEncryptionProvider Optional Variant A case-sensitive string of the encryption provider.
PasswordEncryptionAlgorithm Optional Variant A case-sensitive string of the algorithmic short name (that is, "RC4").
PasswordEncryptionKeyLength Optional Variant The encryption key length which is a multiple of 8 (40 or greater).
PasswordEncryptionFileProperties Optional Variant True (default) to encrypt file properties.

Remarks

The PasswordEncryptionProvider, PasswordEncryptionAlgorithm, and PasswordEncryptionKeyLength arguments are not independent of each other. A selected encryption provider limits the set of algorithms and key length that can be chosen.

For the PasswordEncryptionKeyLength argument, there is no inherent limit on the range of the key length. The range is determined by the Cryptographic Service Provider, which also determines the cryptographic algorithm.

Example

This example sets the password encryption options for the active workbook.

Sub SetPasswordOptions() 
 
 ActiveWorkbook.SetPasswordEncryptionOptions _ 
 PasswordEncryptionProvider:="Microsoft RSA SChannel Cryptographic Provider", _ 
 PasswordEncryptionAlgorithm:="RC4", _ 
 PasswordEncryptionKeyLength:=56, _ 
 PasswordEncryptionFileProperties:=True 
 
End Sub

Note

The code and this method don't do anything for the new Excel file formats (xlsx, xlsb, xlsm, etc.) because the workbook will always use AES 128-bit encryption. If a property is set by using this method, it appears set. When the file is reloaded, the properties are reset to the AES setting.

Support and feedback

Have questions or feedback about Office VBA or this documentation? Please see Office VBA support and feedback for guidance about the ways you can receive support and provide feedback.