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We all know the importance of using strong passwords, updating them regularly, and creating unique passwords for different websites. But what is the best way to keep track of potentially dozens of complicated passwords, including when to update them? Options range from password management software to spreadsheet templates to scribbling a list on a sheet of notebook paper.
The best tool for storing and organizing passwords will depend on whether your needs are business or personal, the volume of passwords, and who needs to access the information. One simple option is to use a customizable template to keep all of your login details in one place. Below you’ll find a variety of free templates for tracking and organizing usernames, passwords, and other info. Options include Excel, Word, and PDF templates, which you can encrypt and password protect for heightened security.
Password Storage and Security Tips
Simple passwords might be easy to remember, but that can also make them easier to crack. A strong password generally contains a combination of upper and lowercase letters along with symbols and numbers. Ideally, a user would memorize passwords, not share them with anyone, and update them regularly in order to keep them secure. Even then, security breaches are still possible due to internet hacking or unethical behavior by employees or others who have access to sensitive online data. Most individuals have numerous online accounts to manage, not to mention the user credentials and account information that fall under the purview of businesses. Here are some tips for safely storing and recovering passwords quickly when needed:
- The One Password You Must Remember: If you’re going to save passwords or other sensitive information in digital files, encrypting the files adds an extra layer of protection. Encryption basically scrambles the data and locks the file, which you can only open with a password. So, if you’re storing your login information in an encrypted, password-protected Excel file, for instance, you’ll need to remember that master password to open the file and access the information. You can encrypt Microsoft Excel and Word files by following a few steps under the File menu, and you can encrypt Adobe PDF files by following steps under the Tools menu. You can do a quick online search to find detailed instructions on encrypting files on Mac and Windows.
- Consider Storage Options: For extra security, you can store your password log on an encrypted hard drive. If you need to access a file from more than one location or device, you can use cloud storage services that are password protected, such as Dropbox or Google Drive. Those services support two-factor authentication, also referred to as two-step verification, which involves entering an initial password that you set, and then a second code that is sent to your mobile device.
- Think Twice Before Sharing: Occasionally, you’ll need to share a password with others, and multiple users may update that password. However, you risk having information get passed to others anytime someone has access to login details. Limit access to that information to the necessary parties, and never share sensitive password details via email, which is not secure.
- Schedule Updates: Get into the habit of updating passwords regularly, and keep track of when changes are made. Change passwords immediately if you suspect a leak.
To create a form in Word that others can fill out, start with a template or document and add content controls. Content controls include things like check boxes, text boxes, date pickers, and drop-down lists. If you’re familiar with databases, these content controls can even be linked to data. Show the Developer tab. You may notice that any Excel dialog that allows the user to select a range has a limited type of Modeless – the user can select a range of cells but cannot do much else. Modal versus Modeless The actual code to make a UserForm modal or modeless is very simple.
Finding a balance between convenience and security can help you operate efficiently while reducing concerns about lost or stolen passwords.
Password Log Template
This password logbook template provides columns for storing passwords along with answers to security questions and other login details. List website URLs, usernames, and any additional information you want to track. You can download this log in Excel, Word, or PDF formats, so you can choose a spreadsheet option or an easily printable template.
Download Password Log Template
Excel | Word | PDF
Password List Template
Create a basic password list for your login details to email and online sites. This Excel template provides a simple layout with room to list multiple entries. Add passwords and other important details for all of the websites you use. You can easily edit or expand the template to include additional information.
Download Password List Template
Excel | Word | PDF
Website Administrator Password List
Designed for developers and other website management roles, this password list template includes sections for adding login details for database access, hosting, and other admin account information. Small businesses or independent developers can use this list to manage passwords for a single website or multiple clients.
Download Website Administrator Password List
Excel | Word | PDF
Basic Password List Template
Keep things simple with this password template for Word, which you can save to your computer or print and complete by hand. List usernames and passwords for various websites on an easy-to-read template. Create a password book for a family or multiple users by printing copies and adding them to a binder.
Download Basic Password List Template
Excel | Word | PDF
Password Spreadsheet Template
Excel User Forms Template
A password spreadsheet template can help you organize and track login information for email, social media, banking, shopping sites, and more. Create a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet for all the details you don’t want to forget, including notes about each account. You can organize accounts by category, create an alphabetized list, or simply add new entries as they arise.
Password Manager Template
Use this password manager template to organize a large number of accounts by separating them into individual sheets. Alternatively, you can create separate sheets for multiple users. Keep track of account details, usernames and passwords, security questions, website URLs, and any other important information, such as when a password was last updated.
Printable Password Keeper Template
Often, a paper document is arguably safer than a digital file when it comes to storing passwords, as long as you keep it in a safe place. This printable version of a password keeper offers a simple solution for those who want a basic list of passwords with minimal information included.
Download Printable Password Keeper Template
Excel | PDF
Family Password Organizer
Designed for families, this password organizer template provides a range of layouts and color schemes in a single file. Parents can manage passwords for their kids while helping them learn about the importance of password security. Individuals can also use this template and customize it to suit their specific needs.
Download Family Password Organizer
Excel | PDF
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One of the best ways to save time while working on Excel document is to use templates. Templates present a collection of styles and formats which are applied to a spreadsheet so that you don’t have to organize it from scratch. Instead of formatting and adjusting the table and data every time you create a new Excel document, you can just use a pre-made template instead. There are a huge number of free Excel templates available for just about every possible type of spreadsheet we could ever need. No matter if we are creating a spreadsheet to calculate our budget, manage invoices, or track our loans, we can be sure that there is a template for that available somewhere online.
User Forms Excel Vba
And even if you don’t want to search for something that fits your needs, you can create an Excel template which can be used for your own specific needs or the needs of your team. For example, instead of instructing team members on how they need to do something each time, just send them a pre-made Excel template in order to streamline the process. Standardization is necessary in big companies and small ones alike, because it’s needed for effective time management. That’s why templates are so popular.
Creating your own template is very easy.
To create a template, open a regular Excel document, format it to the way you need it to be exactly and then save you work as a template from the drop-down list that appears when you use the “Save as” option.
The new template is ready can be send it to team member or used by you at any given time.
If you want to use an existing template that comes with Excel, go to Open – From Template – and locate a template that fits your needs. The templates differ from one version of Excel to another, but there are many options in all versions of the Microsoft program.
If you don’t want to create a template from scratch, you can modify an existing template.
And if you can’t find anything you want in Excel, there are plenty of online sources and websites that offer free templates that have been create by a variety of Excel users and shared on the Internet.
Excel Data Entry Form Template Download
Some of the best websites with free templates are:
– http://www.exinfm.com/free_spreadsheets.html – A collection of mostly financial Excel templates for creating balance sheets, cash flow models, valuations and more.
– http://office.microsoft.com/en-001/templates/excel-templates-FX102832595.aspx This is probably the largest and probably most complete collection of templates on the Internet. There is little something for everybody here – everything from expense reports to calendars, loan calculators, weight loss trackers, accounting templates and much more.
– http://exceltemplates.net/ – A pretty solid directory of Excel templates that includes financial, engineering, family-related, health, household, retirement and many other types of spreadsheets for all types of needs.
– http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/ – This is a great resources page that has numerous free templates available for various fields. Find the best Excel mortgage calculators, money management, calendar, invoicing and timesheet templates here.
– http://templates.libreoffice.org/template-center – These templates can be modified further and shared at will. They are in the .ods format, but that format can easily be converted to .xls. The choice of templates is good and you can also contribute your own if you are so inclined.