EasyXLS

How to protect Excel file with password in C#.NET

EasyXLS Excel library can be used to export Excel files in C#. The library works with .NET Framework or .NET Core platform.

Step 1: Download EasyXLS Excel Library for .NET

To download the trial version of EasyXLS Excel Library, press the below button:

Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for C#

If you already own a license key, you may login and download EasyXLS from your account.

Install the downloaded EasyXLS installer for v8.6 or earlier.

Step 2: License file setup

Step required for EasyXLS v9.0 or later.

If you are using a trial, generate a trial license file from EasyXLS trials page. The trial license is valid for 30-days.

If you own a license key, you may login to the account that purchased the license and generate the license file from:
https://www.easyxls.com/my-orders

Setup the license file into your project using these guidelines.

Step 3: Create a C# project

If don't have a project, create one as ASP.NET web application, windows forms app, console application, class library or service.

Step 4: Include EasyXLS library into project

EasyXLS.dll must be added as reference to your project. EasyXLS.dll can be found:
- Inside the downloaded archive at Step 1 for EasyXLS v9.0 or later
- Under installation path for EasyXLS v8.6 or earlier, in "Dot NET version" folder.

Add EasyXLS reference

Step 5: Run C# code that protects Excel file with password and encryption

Execute the following C# code that creates a password protected Excel file.

/* -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 * Tutorial 27
 *
 * This tutorial shows how to create an Excel file in C# and
 * encrypt the Excel file by setting the password required for opening the file.
 * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- */

using System;
using EasyXLS;

public class Tutorial27
{
    [STAThread]
    static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Tutorial 27\n----------\n");

        // Create an instance of the class that exports Excel files, having two sheets
        ExcelDocument workbook = new ExcelDocument(2);
  
        // Set the sheet names
        workbook.easy_getSheetAt(0).setSheetName("First tab");
        workbook.easy_getSheetAt(1).setSheetName("Second tab");

        // Set the password for protecting the Excel file when the file is open
        workbook.easy_getOptions().setPasswordToOpen("password");
  
        // Export Excel file
        Console.WriteLine("Writing file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial27 - protect Excel with password and encryption.xlsx.");
        workbook.easy_WriteXLSXFile("C:\\Samples\\Tutorial27 - protect Excel with password and encryption.xlsx");

        // Confirm export of Excel file
        String sError = workbook.easy_getError();
        if (sError.Equals(""))
            Console.Write("\nFile successfully created. Press Enter to Exit...");
        else
            Console.Write("\nError encountered: " + sError + "\nPress Enter to Exit...");

        // Dispose memory
        workbook.Dispose();

        Console.ReadLine();
    }
}

EasyXLS Excel libraries:

.NET
Excel Library for C#
full .NET version to import, export or convert Excel files
Excel Writer for C#
.NET version to create and export Excel files
Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for C#

File formats:

MS Excel 97 - 2003
MS Excel 2007 - 2019
MS Excel 2021
Office 365
XLSXXLSMXLSBXLS
XMLHTMLCSVTXT