In today’s digital age, our lives are increasingly intertwined with technology. From managing our finances to storing important documents, we rely on various software and applications to make our lives easier. However, there are times when we may find ourselves faced with an Excel workbook that is password-protected, and we don’t have access to the password. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if the workbook contains vital information that we need to access. But fear not, as in this blog post, we will explore different methods to remove a password from an Excel workbook without knowing the password. Whether you’re a business professional or a student, these methods will come in handy when you need to unlock an Excel workbook and regain access to your important data.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Remove the Password From an Excel Workbook
There are several reasons why you may find yourself needing to remove the password from an Excel workbook:
1. Forgotten Password: It is not uncommon to forget passwords, especially if you have multiple passwords to remember. If you find yourself unable to access an Excel workbook due to a forgotten password, removing the password becomes essential.
2. Collaboration: If you are collaborating with colleagues or classmates on an Excel workbook, it may be necessary to remove the password to allow for seamless collaboration and file sharing.
3. Upgrading or Editing: When you need to upgrade or make changes to an Excel workbook, having the password removed can help streamline the process, allowing you to modify or update the workbook without any restrictions.
4. Recovery of Data: In some cases, you may inherit or receive an Excel workbook from someone else, but they have not shared the password with you. Removing the password will enable you to access and recover any valuable data stored within the workbook.
Now that we understand why it is important to remove the password from an Excel workbook, let’s explore different methods to accomplish this task.
Method 1: Using an Online Password Removal Tool
Step 1: Start by searching for an online password removal tool such as "Excel Password Remover" or "Online Excel Password Recovery".
Step 2: Choose a reputable password removal tool from the search results and visit their website.
Step 3: Look for the option to upload your password-protected Excel workbook. This is typically done by clicking on a "Browse" or "Upload" button.
Step 4: Select your Excel workbook from your computer and upload it to the online tool.
Step 5: Once the upload is complete, the online tool will start the password removal process. This may take a few moments depending on the complexity of the password.
Step 6: After the password removal process is complete, the online tool will provide you with a download link to download the unlocked Excel workbook.
Method 1 Pros:
– Quick and convenient solution
– No technical skills required
– Works on both Windows and Mac computers
Method 1 Cons:
– Security concerns: Uploading sensitive files to an online service may pose a security risk. Make sure to use a reputable service and delete the file from the server after download.
Method 2: Using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)
Step 1: Open the password-protected Excel workbook.
Step 2: Press "Alt + F11" to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.
Step 3: In the VBA editor, click on "Insert" and select "Module" from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: In the module window, copy and paste the following code:
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
Step 5: Press "F5" to run the macro.
Step 6: If the password protection is weak, the macro will break the password and display a usable password.
Method 2 Pros:
– No need for additional software or online tools
– Doesn’t require internet access
– Can be used on any Windows or Mac computer with Excel
Method 2 Cons:
– May not work for complex or strong passwords
– Requires basic knowledge of VBA programming
Method 3: Using PassFab for Excel
Step 1: Download and install "PassFab for Excel" from the official website.
Step 2: Launch PassFab for Excel and click on "Add" to import your password-protected Excel workbook.
Step 3: Once the workbook is added, click on "Remove" to start the password removal process.
Step 4: PassFab for Excel will prompt you to confirm the password removal. Click on "Yes" to proceed.
Step 5: The software will remove the password from your Excel workbook and display a confirmation message.
Step 6: Close PassFab for Excel and open your Excel workbook to verify that the password has been successfully removed.
Method 3 Pros:
– Dedicated software for Excel password removal
– Supports a wide range of password-protected Excel files
– User-friendly interface
Method 3 Cons:
– Software needs to be downloaded and installed
– Not available for free (trial version with limitations available)
Method 4: Recovering the Password using a Brute Force Attack
Step 1: Download and install a password recovery tool such as "Excel Password Recovery" or "Passper for Excel".
Step 2: Launch the password recovery tool and import the password-protected Excel workbook.
Step 3: Configure the password recovery settings, such as the range of characters to try and the password length.
Step 4: Start the password recovery process, which may take some time depending on the complexity of the password.
Step 5: Once the password has been recovered, the password recovery tool will display the password on the screen.
Step 6: Use the recovered password to unlock the Excel workbook.
Method 4 Pros:
– Can recover complex passwords
– Software often provides additional features and options for password recovery
Method 4 Cons:
– Password recovery can be time-consuming
– Not guaranteed to work for all passwords
Bonus Tip: Creating a Backup
– Before attempting to remove a password from an Excel workbook, it is always a good practice to create a backup copy of the original workbook. This ensures that you have a safe copy of the file in case anything goes wrong during the password removal process.
Bonus Tip: Using Excel Viewer
– If you only need to view the contents of a password-protected Excel workbook without making any changes, you can use Microsoft Excel Viewer. Excel Viewer allows you to open and view Excel workbooks without requiring a password. However, keep in mind that you won’t be able to edit or save any changes to the workbook.
Bonus Tip: Contacting the Workbook Owner
– If all else fails, and you have a legitimate reason to access the contents of a password-protected Excel workbook, you can try reaching out to the workbook owner and requesting the password. This is often the quickest and most straightforward solution, especially if the workbook belongs to a coworker, client, or classmate.
5 FAQs
Q1: Is it legal to remove the password from an Excel workbook without knowing the password?
A1: Removing the password from an Excel workbook that you do not have permission to access may be against the law in certain jurisdictions. Always ensure that you have the necessary rights and permissions to modify or access password-protected files.
Q2: Can I remove the password from an Excel workbook on a Mac computer?
A2: Yes, all the methods mentioned in this blog post can be applied on a Mac computer. However, you may need to download and install software that is compatible with Mac OS.
Q3: Can I use these methods for all versions of Excel?
A3: Yes, these methods can be used for most versions of Excel, including Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel for Office 365.
Q4: What should I do if none of the methods work?
A4: If none of the methods mentioned in this blog post work for your specific case, it may be necessary to seek professional help from a data recovery specialist or a computer technician with expertise in Excel password removal.
Q5: Will removing the password from an Excel workbook affect its formatting or formulas?
A5: Removing the password from an Excel workbook should not affect its formatting or formulas. However, it is always recommended to create a backup before attempting any modifications to ensure the integrity of your data.
Final Thoughts
Removing the password from an Excel workbook without knowing the password may seem like a daunting task, but with the right methods and tools, it is possible to regain access to your important data. Whether you choose to use an online password removal tool, leverage VBA programming, or install dedicated software, make sure to follow the necessary precautions and legal guidelines. Remember to create a backup of your original workbook before attempting any password removal, and always seek professional help if needed. With these methods at your disposal, you can confidently tackle any locked Excel workbook and retrieve the valuable information stored within.