Excel is one of the most popular software in the world, and it is widely used for managing data, calculating complex formulas, and even visualizing data using charts and graphs. However, with the increased usage of Excel for sensitive data, there is always the risk of someone wanting to access and view this data without authorization. Password protection provides an excellent solution for this problem, but what if you have forgotten or lost this password? In this article, we will discuss the challenges of breaking an Excel Workbook password and explore a few effective methods to help you regain access to your data.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenges of Breaking Excel Workbook Password
Before we dive into specific methods to break an Excel Workbook password, let’s understand the various challenges that we may face in the process.
1. Encryption: Excel uses advanced encryption algorithms to protect your data, and this encryption can be challenging to overcome.
2. Time-consuming: In some cases, the process of breaking a password can take a long time, especially if the password is long and complex, making it difficult to guess.
3. Risk of data loss: If the password-breaking process is not handled correctly, you may end up losing your data permanently.
Method 1: Using Excel Password Recovery Tool
Excel Password Recovery Tool is a powerful software that can help you recover lost or forgotten passwords with ease. It is the most reliable and widely used method to break Excel workbook passwords. Here are the simple steps to follow.
1. Install and launch Excel Password Recovery Tool on your computer.
2. Click on "Open" to select the encrypted Excel file you want to unlock.
3. Choose the password attack type: Brute-force Attack, Brute-force with Mask Attack, or Dictionary Attack.
4. Select Recovery mode and set up attack parameters.
5. Click on "Start" and then wait for the password cracking process to complete.
Pros:
1. It is straightforward to use.
2. The probability of success is high.
3. It can handle both password-protected Excel and Word files.
Cons:
1. You have to purchase the software.
2. The password-cracking process can be time-consuming.
Method 2: Writing a VBA Code to Remove Password
VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is another viable solution to remove Excel workbook passwords. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Open your password-protected Excel file and press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
2. In the top left corner of the editor, click on the "Insert" tab and select "Module."
3. Copy and paste the following code into the module:
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) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & _
Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox "One usable password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & _
Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
4. Press F5 to run the macro, and wait for it to remove the password protection.
Pros:
1. It is free.
2. Easy to execute.
Cons:
1. The process may fail, and in such cases, you may end up losing your data.
2. The character combinations in the code may be limited, making the recovery of strong passwords almost impossible.
3. The macro may not work for the latest versions of Excel.
Method 3: Using Online Password Crackers
In some cases, you may opt to use online password crackers as an Excel workbook password breaking solution. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Visit any online password cracker website of your choice, such as PasswordOnline or LostMyPass.
2. Upload the encrypted Excel file to the website.
3. Follow the instructions and wait for the process to complete.
Pros:
1. It is easy to use.
2. Does not require special knowledge or skills.
Cons:
1. You may not be assured of the confidentiality of your data.
2. It may take a long time to break the password, depending on its complexity.
3. The process may not be successful.
Why Can’t I Break Excel Workbook Password?
Here are some reasons why you may fail to break Excel workbook password:
1. Wrong Password: Ensure that you type in the correct password.
2. Strong Passwords: The password may be too strong, or a combination of characters that cannot be recovered.
3. Broken File: The encrypted Excel file may be corrupted, and thus, the password-breaking process may remain unsuccessful.
Additional Tips of Breaking Excel Workbook Password
1. Make sure that you use the latest version of Excel Password Recovery Tool or any other password-breaking tool.
2. Avoid using simple passwords like "password" or "123456."
3. Keep a backup copy of your password-protected file to avoid losing data in case anything goes wrong.
4 FAQs
Q1. Can I break an Excel password on a Mac?
A1. Yes, you can use Excel Password Recovery Tool to recover a password on a Mac.
Q2. Can I recover a password-protected file if I don’t remember the password?
A2. Yes, Excel Password Recovery Tool can help you recover your lost or forgotten password.
Q3. Is it easy to break an Excel password?
A3. Breaking an Excel password may not be easy, depending on the complexity and length of the password.
Q4. Is it legal to break an Excel password?
A4. It is legal to remove a password from an Excel file if you are the owner of the file or have authorization to do so.
In Conclusion
Breaking an Excel workbook password can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and techniques, it is possible. In this article, we have explored three methods of breaking an Excel workbook password and highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of each. We have also provided additional tips to help you break your password more effectively. If you follow the instructions provided in this article, you are sure to recover your password in no time.