Password protect or Encrypt Document

[Jimbola]

What is the difference between using a password to open a file and using the encrypt document feature?

 

[RoryA]

Nothing - when you password protect a workbook to open it, you encrypt it.

 

[Jimbola]

Nothing - when you password protect a workbook to open it, you encrypt it.

When I password protect a file versus encrypting a file the encrypted file has a file size much larger than the password protected file.

 

[RoryA]

I don't know why that would be, since both encrypt the workbook and whichever way you do it, the password to open the file will be the same. (the file size is the same for me either way in 2010) Additionally, you will see that if you use the SaveAs option, the Encrypt Workbook icon is set when you reopen the workbook.