Introduction
When sharing Excel documents, it’s crucial to maintain the confidentiality of personal information. The “Last Saved By” property is one such piece of metadata that might be better left undisclosed, especially in a professional context. This article provides a straightforward guide on how to remove this particular information from Excel files on both Mac and Windows systems.
Remove “Last Saved By” Information from an Excel File on Windows
Step 1: Access the File Properties
- Open the Excel document you wish to edit.
- Click on “File” in the top left corner, then select “Info.”
Step 2: Inspect Document
- In the “Info” section, find and click on “Check for Issues” next to the “Inspect Document” button. You may be prompted to save if you haven’t recently saved the document.
Step 3: Remove Personal Information
- Ensure “Document Properties and Personal Information” is checked in the Document Inspector window that appears.
- Click “Inspect” to start the inspection process.
- After the inspection is complete, click “Remove All” next to “Document Properties and Personal Information.”
- Save your document. The “Last Saved By” information should now be cleared.
Remove “Last Saved By” Information from an Excel File on Mac
Step 1: Access Excel Preferences
- Open Excel.
- Click on “Excel” in the menu bar and select “Preferences.”
Step 2: Privacy Settings
- Go to the “Security” section.
- Look for “Document-specific Settings.”
Step 3: Remove Personal Information
- Check the box next to “Remove personal information from this file on save.”
- This setting will ensure that personal metadata, such as “Last Saved By” information, is stripped out the next time you save the document.
Step 4: Save Your Document
- Close the Preferences window and save your document for the changes to take effect.
- Voila, all personal information from the document is now cleared.
Additional Tips on Removing Personal Data from Excel File
Regularly Review Document Properties: Always review your document’s properties and metadata before sharing it to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information.
Consider Document Security Practices: Employ document security measures like password protection or document rights management to safeguard your Excel files.
Conclusion
Removing personal metadata from your Excel files is a key step in protecting your privacy. Windows users have the built-in Document Inspector feature to assist them, while Mac users can now easily manage this via the Excel Preferences. By following these updated steps, you can share your Excel documents without concerns over the accidental sharing of personal information like the “Last Saved By” property.