What is the output? >>>password = add

the native Output Tool config does not support creating an Excel/file password

2) most suggested approaches entail using either a Run Command tool within the workflow or a Run Command via the Workflow's [EVENTS] tab (found via the canvas/options)

In both cases for approach 2 the key is to come up with a Windows Cmd that can be executed via an external call from the Alteryx workflow.  What I am looking for is the syntax/best practice for that.

Googling I've seen folks advocate for building a separate code/file (XML or otherwise) that would contain a script command that would effectively Open the Excel file created by Alteryx workflow, requiring me to name the exact location (cannot use referential location) and file namere save the file but adding (+) an api/control that inserts a Password to the native Excel save routine.  All of which implies the workflow is running on a machine, and the saved file is running on a machine that has Excel install, etc.

Is this the best approach.  Please be forewarned ... we're a team of BUSINESS users ... so whatever help you give me, while it likely goes 'over my head', will be helpful to our IT Dev team when I ask them to come up with a solution.

Explanation:

im not sure what your file type is. is it a .zip file