Secure Excel in Make

Secure Excel is a Make module that applies multi-level password protection to Excel files automatically within your scenarios. It supports three independent protection levels: file encryption, workbook structure protection, and worksheet content protection, each with its own password or a shared fallback - eliminating manual security steps for confidential report distribution, template protection, and compliance workflows.

What this module does

PDF4me Secure Excel applies up to three independent protection layers to an Excel file inside a Make scenario: file encryption (password to open), workbook structure lock (prevents sheet add/delete/rename), and worksheet content protection (prevents cell edits). Use a single password for all levels or assign separate credentials per tier. The protected file is returned as a buffer ready to upload, email, or archive.

Password applies to all levels by default

The main Password field doubles as a fallback for workbook and worksheet protection. If you leave Protect Workbook Password or Worksheet Protection Password empty, the module uses the main password for those levels automatically, so one password can secure all three tiers.

Worksheet indexes use 0-based numbering

When targeting specific worksheets by index, use 0-based numbering: the first sheet is index 0, the second is index 1. Combine Worksheet Names and Worksheet Indexes for flexible targeting - the module protects the union of both lists. Leave both empty to protect all worksheets.

Protection Type "All" makes worksheets fully read-only

Worksheet Protection Type defaults to All, which simultaneously applies Contents (cell values and formulas), Objects (charts and images), and Scenarios (what-if analysis) protection. Recipients without the worksheet password can view but not modify any element. Set to a specific type (e.g. Contents only) if partial editing is needed.

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Authenticating Your API Request

To access the PDF4me Web API through Make, every request must include proper authentication credentials. Authentication ensures secure communication between your Make scenarios and PDF4me's Excel security services.

Get your API Key

Map File Name and Document from the prior download step, then configure password and protection level settings.

How to Password Protect an Excel File in Make

1. Add PDF4me > Secure Excel to your Make scenario.
2. Select your Connection or click Add to create one with your API key.
3. Map File Name (e.g. report.xlsx) and Document (binary buffer) from a Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive download step.
4. Enter a Password to encrypt the file (Level 1) - recipients must enter this to open the file.
5. Enable Protect Workbook (Level 2) to prevent sheet structure changes. Leave Protect Workbook Password empty to reuse the main password.
6. Enable Protect Worksheets (Level 3) and set Worksheet Protection Type (default: All for full read-only). Leave worksheet selectors empty to protect all sheets.
7. Save and Run once - map the Doc Data output to an upload, email, or archive module.

Parameters

Required: File Name and Document. All protection parameters are optional but at least one password must be provided for each enabled protection level (or the main Password is used as fallback).

Parameter	Required	What it does	Example
File Name	Required	Filename of the Excel document including .xlsx or .xls extension. Map from the previous module's file name output or enter a static name. Used for processing and output file identification.	data.xlsx
Document	Required	Binary Excel file content. Map from a Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive download step. Must be a valid Excel format; data and formatting are preserved during protection.	[Buffer]
Password	Conditional	File encryption password (Level 1). Encrypts the entire workbook so recipients must enter this password to open the file. Also used as a fallback for workbook and worksheet protection if their specific passwords are empty.	Open123!
Protect Workbook	Conditional	Enable workbook structure protection (Level 2). True prevents adding, deleting, renaming, moving, or hiding sheets. Requires a password (Protect Workbook Password or Password fallback). Default: false.	true
Protect Workbook Password	Conditional	Password for workbook structure protection (Level 2). Falls back to the main Password field if empty. Required if Protect Workbook is true and Password is also empty.	Struct456
Protect Worksheets	Conditional	Enable worksheet content protection (Level 3). True prevents data modifications on targeted worksheets. Requires a password (Worksheet Protection Password or Password fallback). Default: false.	true
Worksheet Protection Type	Conditional	Type of worksheet protection: Contents (cell values and formulas), Objects (charts and images), Scenarios (what-if analysis), or All (full protection, default). Read-only access is applied when All is selected.	All
Worksheet Protection Password	Conditional	Password for worksheet content protection (Level 3). Falls back to the main Password field if empty. Required if Protect Worksheets is true and Password is also empty.	Edit789
Worksheet Names	Conditional	Comma-separated list of worksheet names to protect. Empty = protect all worksheets. Case-sensitive. Combined as a union with Worksheet Indexes.	Sheet1,Summary
Worksheet Indexes	Conditional	Comma-separated 0-based worksheet indexes to protect. 0 = first sheet, 1 = second. Empty = protect all worksheets. Combined as a union with Worksheet Names.	0,2

Output

Field	Type	What it contains
Name	String	Output Excel filename - map into the file name field of your storage upload or email step.
Doc Data	Buffer	Password-protected Excel document. Wire directly into a Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive upload action or an email attachment field.

What Protection Levels Does Secure Excel Support?

PDF4me Secure Excel supports three independent Excel protection levels aligned with the Microsoft Excel workbook protection model: Level 1 file encryption (password to open, enforced by the OOXML standard); Level 2 workbook structure protection (prevents sheet-level modifications); and Level 3 worksheet content protection (locks cells, objects, or scenarios). Each level can carry its own password or share the main password via the built-in fallback mechanism.

Workflow Examples

Confidential Reports

Automated multi-level protection for monthly financial reports

1. Trigger: Monthly financial report finalized and ready for distribution
2. Get Financial Report: Retrieve completed report from Google Drive
3. Secure Excel: Set Password = file encryption; enable Protect Workbook + Protect Worksheets; set Worksheet Protection Type = All; leave worksheet selectors empty for all-sheet protection
4. Upload Secured Report: Save to restricted Google Drive executive folder
5. Email CFO: Send protected report with password via separate secure channel

Business benefit: Eliminates manual protection - 12 monthly reports secured automatically with 3-layer encryption.

Create Scenario

Template Distribution

Protect formula sheets while allowing data entry sheets

1. Trigger: Template approved for enterprise distribution
2. Get Master Template: Retrieve template with formulas from library
3. Secure Excel: Enable Protect Workbook; set Worksheet Names = "Calculations,Reference,Formulas"; set Worksheet Protection Type = All; leave data entry sheets unlisted
4. Upload Protected Template: Save to shared templates folder
5. Email Users: Send template with edit password for authorized changes

Business benefit: Formula corruption incidents reduced - calculation sheets locked while input sheets remain editable.

Create Scenario

Read-Only Distribution

Weekly performance reports distributed as read-only

1. Trigger: Weekly performance report generation completed
2. Get Performance Report: Retrieve report from Dropbox
3. Secure Excel: Set Password = single view password; enable Protect Worksheets; leave Worksheet Protection Password empty (fallback to Password); set Type = All
4. Upload Protected Report: Save to shared Dropbox folder
5. Email Team: Send report to entire team with single view password

Business benefit: 52 weekly reports distributed annually as read-only with a single shared password.

Create Scenario

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three Excel protection levels in Secure Excel?+

Level 1 is file encryption: the Password field encrypts the entire workbook so recipients must enter a password just to open the file. Level 2 is workbook structure protection: Protect Workbook = true prevents adding, deleting, renaming, or moving sheets. Level 3 is worksheet content protection: Protect Worksheets = true locks cell editing on selected or all worksheets. Each level operates independently and can have its own password.

How does password fallback work?+

If you leave Protect Workbook Password or Worksheet Protection Password empty, the module automatically uses the main Password field as the fallback for those levels. This means one password can cover all three protection tiers without entering it multiple times. Supply separate passwords per level when different stakeholders need to unlock different protection tiers independently.

Can I protect only specific worksheets?+

Yes. Enter sheet names in Worksheet Names (e.g. Sheet1,Summary - case-sensitive) or 0-based indexes in Worksheet Indexes (e.g. 0,2). The module protects the union of both lists. Leave both fields empty to protect all worksheets in the workbook at once.

What does Worksheet Protection Type All do?+

All applies Contents (cell values and formulas), Objects (charts, images, shapes), and Scenarios (what-if analysis) protection simultaneously, making selected worksheets fully read-only for anyone without the worksheet password. Choose a specific type such as Contents if you want to protect only cell values while leaving charts and objects editable.

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