Knowing how to password-protect an Excel workbook is a great way to keep your files safe and secure. However, password protection can sometimes become a hindrance when you forget the password. If you’re in a situation where you need to change the password of a protected Excel file, this guide will provide you with the methods to do so.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Changing a Password Protected Excel File
If you’ve ever tried to modify a password-protected Excel document without knowing the password, you know how impossible it seems! With password-protected Excel files, you can’t open, edit, or even copy data without the right password. So how do you change the password without knowing the original one?
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you can change a password-protected Excel file’s password, you will need to prepare a few things. These include:
– Microsoft Office Excel installed on your computer
– A password recovery software/utility
– Access to the protected Excel file
– Patience
Method 1: Using the Built-in Unprotect Feature
Excel has a built-in feature that allows you to unprotect a protected worksheet or workbook. Follow these steps to change your password:
1. Open the protected Excel file.
2. Click on the "Review" tab in the ribbon.
3. Click "Unprotect Sheet" if you want to unprotect a sheet, or "Unprotect Workbook" if you want to unprotect a workbook.
4. When prompted, enter the original password.
5. Click "OK."
Pros:
– Easy to use
– A built-in feature of Excel
– No need to download or install any additional software
Cons:
– You must have the original password to use this method
Method 2: Using VBA Code
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is a programming language that can be used to automate complex tasks in Excel. With VBA, you can change the password of a protected Excel file without knowing the original password. Here are the steps to do so:
1. Open the protected Excel file.
2. Press "Alt" + "F11" to open the VBA editor.
3. In the Project Explorer, find and select the protected workbook or worksheet.
4. Click "Insert" and choose "Module."
5. Paste the following code:
Sub PasswordBreaker()
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
6. Press "F5" to run the code.
7. When the script finishes running, a message box will appear, showing the usable password.
Pros:
– Can be used to break any password
– Convenient if you’ve forgotton the original password
– No need to download or install any additional software
Cons:
– May be difficult for non-VBA users
– May take a long time to run depending on the complexity of the password
Method 3: Using Third-Party Software
There are several third-party software solutions that can help you recover the password of a protected Excel file. One such software is Passper for Excel. Here are the steps to use it:
1. Download and install Passper for Excel.
2. Launch the software and click "Recover Passwords."
3. Click "Add" and select the protected Excel file.
4. Choose an attack mode:
– Dictionary Attack: uses a pre-built list of frequently used passwords
– Combination Attack: combines words, numbers, and symbols to create a password list.
– Mask Attack: creates a password list based on your specific password format.
5. Click "Start" and wait for the software to crack the password.
6. When it’s done, the password will be displayed.
Pros:
– Higher success rate in breaking passwords
– User-friendly interface
– Can be used for all versions of Excel
Cons:
– Requires downloading and installing additional software
– May take longer depending on the complexity of the password
Why Can’t I Change a Password Protected Excel File?
1. You don’t have the correct password.
– Solution: Use one of the methods listed above to recover the original password.
2. The "Change Password" option is disabled.
– Solution: Use the "Unprotect" feature to unlock the Excel file before attempting to change the password.
Additional Tips
– Always remember to keep a backup of your Excel files.
– Use complex passwords to protect your spreadsheets.
– Keep your password in a secure location.
5 FAQs about Changing A Password Protected Excel File
Q1: How can I remove the password without entering it?
A: You can use VBA macro code or third-party software to remove the password without entering it.
Q2: Can I change the password of a workbook instead of a worksheet?
A: Yes, you can protect the entire workbook with a password by following the same steps outlined for the worksheet.
Q3: What should I do if I forget the password?
A: You can use VBA macro code or third-party software to recover the password.
Q4: What if the password is too complicated to guess?
A: You can use a third-party software solution to recover the password. These types of software have a higher success rate in breaking the password.
Q5: What if the "Change Password" option is disabled?
A: You will need to use the "Unprotect" feature to unlock the Excel file before attempting to change the password.
In Conclusion
Password-protecting a file is a great way to secure your data, but it can be frustrating when you forget the password. Thankfully, with the methods listed above, you can change the password of a protected Excel file without knowing the original password. Remember to always keep a backup of your files, use secure passwords, and store them in a secure location.