Use strong passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Weak passwords don't mix these elements. Strong password: Y6dh!et5. Weak password: House27. Passwords should be 8 or more characters in length. A pass phrase that uses 14 or more characters is better. For more information, see Help protect your personal information with strong passwords.

It is critical that you remember your password. If you forget your password, Microsoft cannot retrieve it. Store the passwords that you write down in a secure place away from the information that they help protect.

If you lose the password, you cannot open or gain access to the password-protected presentation. Microsoft cannot provide assistance for opening or modifying a presentation whose password you don't remember.

1. Open the presentation that you want to create a password for.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Security tab.
3. Do one of the following:
   • To require a password for opening a presentation, type a password in the Password to open box, and then click OK.
   • To require a password for modifying a presentation, type a password in the Password to modify box, and then click OK.

    Note   Setting a modify password enables other users who do not know the password to view the presentation, but prevents them from making any changes to the presentation.

4. In the Confirm Password dialog box, type the password again, and then click OK.

 Note   Passwords can also be set on presentations that are being packaged for CD. Find links to more information about packaging presentations and setting passwords in the See Also section, which is visible when you are connected to the Internet.