How to Open An Excel File With Password

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Opening an Excel file with password protection can be a frustrating experience, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve viewed the file. Password-protected Excel files are a great way to maintain the confidentiality of important documents. However, after some time, people tend to forget the password they used to lock the file.

In this blog post, we will explore the different methods that you can use to open an Excel file with password protection. We will discuss the tools that you may need and what requires your focus. Additionally, we will address the common problems and limitations you may encounter in the process, as well as the implications and recommendations.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Here are the essential needs for cracking an Excel file password:

1. Microsoft Excel software
2. A password cracking tool
3. A powerful computer with fast processing speed if you have a large Excel file or complex password
4. Basic computer skills
5. Some patience

What requires your focus?

The process of opening an Excel file with a password requires a lot of focus. You must be careful not to lose any data. Here are the things that require your full attention:

1. The correct password (if possible)
2. The password cracking tool choice
3. The password cracking method
4. Security concerns when installing password cracking software on your computer
5. The time and effort you have to invest

Methods to Open An Excel File with Password

There are several methods to open an Excel file with a password. Let’s explore each of them in detail:

Method 1: Use the built-in Excel password recovery tool

Pros:
– Available on Excel 2013 and above
– Quick and easy to use
– Doesn’t require specialized knowledge

Cons:
– Only works if the password is simple
– Limited scope of operations

Steps:

1. Open Excel and click on the "File" tab.
2. Select "Info" followed by "Protect Workbook".
3. Click on "Encrypt with Password" and enter the password in the dialog box.
4. Navigate to the password cracking menu by clicking on "File", then "INFO" and then click "Protect Workbook."
5. Click on "Password Recovery" and wait for Excel to perform recovery.
6. Excel should return the password if it’s discovered.

Method 2: Brute force attack using excel password unlocking software

Pros:
– Works on all versions of Excel files
– Capable of bypassing complex passwords

Cons:
– May take a very long time to recover the password, depending on its complexity
– There is also the risk of data loss or damage
– Mostly Paid software

Steps:

1. Choose a credible Excel password unlocker such as PassFab or
Stellar Password Recovery.
2. Install and launch the software on your computer.
3. Click on "Open" to open the password-protected Excel file.
4. Select the appropriate password cracking method (e.g., dictionary or brute force).
5. Start the password cracking process and wait for it to complete.
6. The recovered password should be displayed to you.

Method 3: Online Excel password recovery services

Pros:
– No software installation required
– Available on any device with internet connectivity

Cons:
– Limited number of attempts
– Not a secure strategy as you have to upload sensitive data

Steps:

1. Go to any online Excel password recovery services such as password-online.com
2. Upload the password-protected Excel file.
3. Choose the password-cracking method (dictionary or brute force).
4. Submit your request and wait for the password to be cracked.
5. The password should be displayed to you.

Method 4: Modification of Excel file extension

Pros:
– Quick method

Cons:
– May cause permanent damage to the Excel file.
– Does not work most of the time, especially for complex passwords.

Steps:

1. Right-click the Excel file with the password, go to "Rename" and rename the extension from ".xlsx" to ".zip."
2. Extract the files from the renamed Excel file using 7-zip or any other zip file extractor.
3. When the extracted files have appeared, go to the "xl" folder and then "worksheets."
4. Select "sheet1.xml," right-click on the file and open it with your preferred XML editor tool.
5. Locate the "Why Can’t I Open the Excel File With Password?

There are several reasons why you may not be able to open an Excel file with a password.

1. The password may be too complex to remember
2. The password may have been changed
3. System failures may have resulted in the corruption of the Excel file
4. Excel file may be locked by another process

Fixes:

1. Use the Excel built-in password recovery tool
2. Use a third-party password-cracking tool
3. Try other methods to open the Excel file other than using password
4. Repair the corrupted Excel file with specialized repair tools.

Implications and Recommendations

It’s important to take good care of your Excel files and to keep them password-protected for optimal security. However, it’s also crucial to remember your passwords and to back them up. Here are some general implications and recommendations:

1. Avoid using passwords that are too simple or easy to guess like “password123.”
2. Don’t share your password with others
3. Use password managers to store your passwords safely
4. Always keep a backup of all important passwords
5. Choose the right method (e.g., built-in passwords, third-party password crackers, etc.) that fits your needs.

5 FAQs on Opening An Excel File With Password

Q1: Can I remove Excel passwords without any tools or software?

A1: You cannot typically remove Excel passwords without tools or software since the primary purpose of password protection is to keep the file inaccessible.

Q2: Can I crack the password of a password protected Excel file using free software?

A2: Most free password-cracking tools are typically limited in their effectiveness. They rarely work for Excel files with complex passwords.

Q3: What happens if I forget the password of my Excel file?

A3: If you forget the password of your Excel file, you’ll be locked out of it until you unlock the password. You may employ the use of one of the password removal tools discussed in this article.

Q4: What can I do if my Excel file becomes corrupted after using some password removal method?

A4: You can try to recover the corrupted Excel file using specialized repair software. If this doesn’t work, you may have to restore your file using the most recent backup that you have.

Q5: Can I use the same password cracker software on different versions of Excel?

A5: Password cracker software has different versions for use on different versions of Excel. Therefore, you will have to choose the version that’s compatible with your version of Excel.

In Conclusion

Opening an Excel file with password protection may seem complicated, but with the right tools and methods, it’s not impossible. Understanding the different methods and their pros and cons can help you make an educated decision on which method is best for you. Remember to take all safety precautions when dealing with sensitive data and to back up all important passwords.