Password protect your Google Docs PDF
Google Docs doesn't offer built-in PDF encryption. Docs to PDF fills that gap by letting you set a password during export so only authorized recipients can open or modify the file.
Set an open password
Require a password before the PDF can be viewed. Anyone who receives the file will see a password prompt in their PDF reader. Without the correct password, the content remains inaccessible.
Restrict editing and printing
A permissions password lets recipients view the document but prevents them from printing, copying text, or editing the PDF. This is useful for sharing drafts you don't want redistributed or modified.
Encryption standards
The extension uses AES-256 encryption, the same standard used by financial institutions and government agencies. This ensures the protection is meaningful rather than cosmetic.
Sharing passwords securely
Send the password through a different channel than the PDF itself. If you email the document, share the password via a messaging app or phone call. This limits exposure if either channel is compromised.
When to use PDF passwords
Contracts, financial reports, HR documents, and medical records are common candidates. Any time the content is sensitive enough that you'd hesitate to share it as a plain link, password protection adds a practical layer of control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about set an open password?
Require a password before the PDF can be viewed. Anyone who receives the file will see a password prompt in their PDF reader. Without the correct password, the content remains inaccessible.
What about restrict editing and printing?
A permissions password lets recipients view the document but prevents them from printing, copying text, or editing the PDF. This is useful for sharing drafts you don't want redistributed or modified.
What about encryption standards?
The extension uses AES-256 encryption, the same standard used by financial institutions and government agencies. This ensures the protection is meaningful rather than cosmetic.
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