Does setting a password on an excel file encrypt the file? Cannot Autosave

[Tommy_Bob_2024]

I have an Excel file that will not let me set it to autosave because it wants me to turn off the encryption.  I don't know that I ever turned it on.  It is a year old file I use occasionally so who knows what I might have done in any particular session of using it - although I am too ignorant to ever do that intentionally.  Does setting a password make the file encrypted?

[#2]

@Tommy_Bob_2024 

The latest version of Excel allows encrypting with password or protect the workbook, but seems both support auto-save, may I know if your file keep in OneDrive? If yes, it will not be working

[#3]

@Kidd_Ip 

Thank you.   I do keep this on One Drive now (as of this past week).

Your statement, "...allows encrypting with password..." made me consider that we can password protect with or without encrypting.  As I followed up and researched the topic, I take it that PSW protection is a two step process: (1) "Encrypt?" and (2) "Add Password?  I presume if I do not encrypt the file, it can be more easily hacked if someone should gain access to it..., although it is still password protected.

[#4]

@Tommy_Bob_2024 

Apparently what the layman read and interpreted is wrong; it is not a two step process but rather one conjoined event.

How to add a password to your Excel workbooks
Microsoft Excel has a password protection feature that you can use to safeguard your workbooks. Here’s how you add a password to your Excel workbooks:

• Select File > Info.
• Choose Protect Workbook.
• Select Encrypt with Password.  (I deduce that Password Protection is an encryption process in of itself)
• Create a strong password to protect your Excel workbook. The password is case-sensitive, but the length and character mix are up to your discretion.
• Confirm the password by entering it again.
• Select OK to save these changes.

Mic drop!