EasyXLS

How to protect Excel file with password in Java

EasyXLS Excel library can be used to export Excel files in Java. The library works with any Java SE application and without MS Excel installed.

Step 1: Download EasyXLS Excel Library for Java

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

Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for Java

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 Java project

If don't have a project already, create a new Java project.

Step 4: Include EasyXLS library into project

EasyXLS.jar must be added to external libraries into your project for Eclipse or to your application CLASSPATH.

EasyXLS.jar 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 "Lib" folder.

Add EasyXLS library to CLASSPATH

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

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

package testexceljava;

import EasyXLS.*;

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

public class Tutorial27 {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        try {
            System.out.println("Tutorial 27");
            System.out.println("----------");

            // 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
            System.out.println(
                "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
            if (workbook.easy_getError().equals(""))
                System.out.println("File successfully created.");
            else
                System.out.println("Error encountered: " + workbook.easy_getError());

            // Dispose memory
            workbook.Dispose();
        }
        catch (Exception ex) {
            ex.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
}

EasyXLS Excel libraries:

Java
Excel Library for Java
full Java version to import, export or convert Excel files
Excel Writer for Java
Java version to create and export Excel files
Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for Java

File formats:

Office 365
MS Excel 2021 - 2024
MS Excel 2007 - 2019
MS Excel 97 - 2003
XLSXXLSMXLSBXLS
XMLHTMLCSVTXT