What does the password to open a document guarantee?

The password required to open a document primarily ensures the security of its contents against unauthorized users. When a document is password-protected, the intention is to restrict access to individuals who are not privy to the password. This helps to safeguard sensitive or confidential information contained within the document, allowing only authorized users to view or interact with it.

While having a password may grant access to features such as editing, this isn't guaranteed, as that depends on the permissions set within the document itself. Therefore, merely having the password does not automatically mean that a user can edit the document or access all features without any restrictions. Additionally, the presence of a password does not imply anonymity for the user since anyone who has access to the password can potentially be identified or traced based on the document's access logs or sharing settings. Lastly, a password does not provide unlimited access to change a document; permissions can be configured to limit what a user can do, such as viewing only or read-only access, even if they have the password to open it.

In summary, the primary function of a password to open a document is to act as a barrier against unauthorized access, thereby ensuring the security of the document's contents.