Setting a masked field

The Lookup Table Configurator displays all cell values as clear text. To provide more security with protected data, use a masked field.

The masked field is used to provide encryption ability. You can set any cell as a masked field or reset it as a clear text cell.

The Set as Masked Field setting is protected by a file-level password. You must create or specify a valid password before changing any Masked Field setting.

For users who have a valid password, the masked field displays the values as clear text in blue color.

For users who do not have the password, it displays the value as asterisks.

  1. Select a table cell and right-click to open a menu where you can select Set as Masked Field. Or, you can select a cell and then select Edit > Set as Masked Field from the menu bar.
    When you change a masked field back to clear text, the menu option changes to Set as Plain Field.
    A cell must be selected to enable this option.
  2. If a password is not set and there is no masked setting for the current table, then the Password Setting dialog box opens. In this dialog box, you can create a password for the file.
    If the password is correct, then all data in the table can be seen as clear text, and the masked fields text is blue.

    If the password is not correct, then a Password Invalid message opens.

  3. Click OK and then click Cancel on the Enter Password dialog box. A message opens stating that all masked fields are obscured.
    The file opens when you click OK, but the text in the masked field is obscured, displayed as asterisks. The Set as Masked Field/Set as Plain Field menu option is still enabled, although you must specify the correct password to use this option.

    You can edit the value of both masked and non-masked fields, even if the password is invalid. The password is only used to protect the masked field setting.

    After the password is entered successfully, the selected cell is set as a masked field and its text color is blue. As long as the file is not closed, later actions to set/reset the masked field do not prompt for a password.

    If a password is not set, then you cannot change the cell property to a masked field. The cell keeps its original text color.

    Note: To change a masked field back to a plain field, right-click the masked field and select Set as Plain Field from the list. The selected cell is reset as a plain field, which shows the value in its original color.