How to Break A Password Protected Excel File

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Excel is one of the most popular programs used today for recording, organizing, and analyzing data. Oftentimes, we want to keep our data safe and secure from prying eyes. This is why we create password-protected files. However, we sometimes forget our passwords or need to access files that are password-protected but we no longer have the password. This is where the need to learn how to break a password protected Excel file comes in handy. This blog post will provide you with some of the best methods to break a password protected Excel file and help you access your data without hassle.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

To break a password protected Excel file, you need some specialized tools that can crack the password for you. You also need a basic understanding of Excel and computers to be able to follow the methods that will be shared in this blog post. Finally, you need access to the password-protected Excel file you intend to break.

What Requires Your Focus?

The methods shared in this blog post can help you break a password protected Excel file. However, it is important to note that doing so may be against the law or result in the loss of data. Before proceeding to try any of the methods shared, be sure that you have the legal right to do so. Also, be sure that you have tried all other possible options and that breaking the password protection is your only course of action.

Different Methods to Break A Password Protected Excel File

Method 1: Using VBA Code

VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) code is an advanced method that can be used to retrieve the password for an Excel file. Ensure you are making a backup copy of the file before proceeding with these steps:

  1. Launch Excel and open the password-protected file.
  2. Press Alt + F11.
  3. Click Insert on the toolbar.
  4. Select Module to create a new module.
  5. Copy the following code and paste it into the module:
    6. Sub PasswordBreaker()
    'Breaks worksheet password protection.
    Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
    Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer
    Dim i1 As Integer, i2 As Integer, i3 As Integer
    Dim i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 As Integer
    On Error Resume Next
    For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
    For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66
    For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66
    For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126
    ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _
        Chr(l) & Chr(m) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & Chr(n)
    If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
        MsgBox "One usable password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
            Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & Chr(n)
         Exit Sub
    End If
    Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
    Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
  6. Press F5 to execute the code.
  7. If the password is found, a message box with the usable password will be displayed.
  8. If the password isn’t found, the message box will be blank and display no message.

Pros:
– Can break complex passwords.
– No technical skills required.

Cons:
– Time-consuming if password is long.
– Code can cause damage if not executed properly.

Method 2: Using Excel Password Recovery Tool

An Excel Password Recovery Tool is a specialized software tool designed specifically to retrieve lost passwords for password-protected Excel files. For this method, we recommend using Passper for Excel. They offer a free trial, so you can test how effective the tool is before buying.

  1. Download and install Passper for Excel on your computer.
  2. Click Add and select the password-protected Excel file you want to recover the password for.
  3. Choose the password recovery type you want to use. There are four options to choose from:
    • Combination Attack: This method combines all possible characters and creates a different password combination to try on the password-protected file.
    • Dictionary Attack: This method uses an inbuilt or customized password dictionary to try and match the password on the protected file.
    • Mask Attack: This method is used when you can remember a portion of the password.
    • Brute Force Attack: This method tries all possible password combinations to crack the password.
  4. Once you have selected the password recovery type, click Recover.
  5. If the password is discovered, it will be displayed on the screen.

Pros:
– Simple and easy to use.
– Can recover passwords within minutes.

Cons:
– Only suitable for simple password combinations.
– May not work on complex password combinations.

Method 3: Using Online Tools

There are many online tools available to help you break a password protected Excel file. Here are the steps:

  1. Launch your browser and open http://www.lostmypass.com/file-types/password-excel.
  2. Select the password-protected Excel file that you want to break.
  3. Click the Upload and Convert button and wait for the system to upload, convert, and remove the password protection on the file.
  4. Finally, download the unprotected Excel file.

Pros:
– No need for installation.
– User-friendly interface.

Cons:
– Files can be stolen or leaked during the upload process.
– May not work for complex password combinations.

Why Can’t I Break A Password Protected Excel File?

There are various reasons why you may not be able to break a password protected Excel file. Some of these reasons include:

1. The Password is too Complex:
Fix: Use advanced software tools or try other methods that can break complex passwords.

2. The Password is Case Sensitive:
Fix: Ensure that you type in the password with the correct letter cases.

3. The Password is a Combination of Letters and Numbers:
Fix: Use methods that can crack mixed letter and number combinations.

Implications and Recommendations

The process of breaking password-protected Excel files can expose the data within to potential theft or misuse. It is, therefore, recommended that you use this method for only legitimate and legal purposes, and only where there is no other viable option or means of accessing your data.

5 FAQs about Breaking A Password Protected Excel File

Q1: Is it legal to break a password protected Excel file?

A: Breaking password protection on an Excel file without the owner’s permission may be illegal and can result in legal consequences.

Q2: What should I do if the password is too complex?

A: Try advanced software tools or other methods that can break complex passwords.

Q3: Can I break the password on an Excel file I do not own?

A: No, you do not have the right to break the password protection on an Excel file that you do not own.

Q4: What precautions should I take before trying to break a password protected Excel file?

A: Ensure that you are legally permitted to do so, ensure that you have a backup copy of the file, and ensure that you have tried all other possible options before trying to break the password protection.

Q5: Can I break the password on an Excel file using an online tool?

A: Yes, there are many online tools that can help you break a password-protected Excel file.

Final Words

In conclusion, breaking a password protected Excel file can be a complicated and risky process. Before proceeding, ensure that you are legally permitted to do so and that there is no other viable option for accessing your data. If you do choose to proceed with breaking the password protection, ensure that you have taken all necessary precautions and that you use the methods shared in this blog post responsibly.