How to Recover Excel Password

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably lost or forgotten the password to your Excel document and are now looking for a solution. The good news is that there are several ways to recover Excel passwords, some of which can be done with just a few clicks. Whether your Excel document is password protected and you need to view or modify it, or you simply need a way to recover a forgotten password, this post will guide you through the process.

Why Would You Want to Recover Excel Password?

Excel’s password protection feature provides a simple and effective way to keep your confidential data safe from unauthorized access. Unfortunately, this also means that forgetting your password can lock you out of your own files.

Option 1: Recover Excel Password with Excel Password Recovery Tool

If you lose the password of your Excel file, you can use an Excel password recovery tool to restore access to the file. These tools use a variety of techniques to break or recover the password, including dictionary attacks and brute force attacks.

Follow the below steps to use an Excel password recovery tool:

1. Download and install a reputable Excel password recovery tool. There are many options available online, so make sure to choose one that is trusted and tested.
2. Open the Excel password recovery tool and click on the “Open” button to import the locked Excel file.
3. Now, select the password recovery type and apply the attack, dictionary or brute force, depending on the complexity of your password.
4. Wait a few minutes or hours, depending on the complexity of the password and the algorithm you choose. The tool will either show you the password or remove the password protection from the file.
5. Save the recovered Excel file and close the tool.

Option 2: Recover Excel Password with VBA Code

If you’re looking for a free alternative, you can use a VBA code to recover Excel passwords. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a programming language that is built into Microsoft Office.

Follow the below steps to recover Excel password with VBA code:

1. Open the Excel file that you want to recover the password.
2. Press “Alt” + “F11” to open the VBA editor.
3. Click “Insert” > “Module” to create a new module in the editor.
4. Copy and paste the following code into the module:

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 With ActiveSheet.Unprotect(chr(i) & chr(j) & chr(k) & _ chr(l) & chr(m) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & Chr(n)) If .ProtectionMode = 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 End With Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next End Sub

5. Press “F5” to run the code.
6. Once the code executes and reveals the password, save the Excel file without the password.

Option 3: Recover Excel Password with Online Excel Password Recovery

Another way to recover an Excel password is to use an online password recovery service. Many websites offer this service for free or at a small cost.

Follow the below steps to recover Excel password with online Excel password recovery:

1. Go to a reputable online Excel password recovery site.
2. Upload the locked Excel file to the website.
3. Wait for the website to recover and display the password.
4. Enter the password to unlock the Excel file.

Preventing Future Excel Password Loss

Losing the password to an Excel file can be a frustrating experience. While there are ways to recover forgotten passwords, prevention is always better than cure. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid losing or forgetting your Excel password in the future:

1. Create a password that is easy to remember but difficult to guess. Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
2. Write down the password in a secure location where you won’t forget it, such as a password manager or a personal diary.
3. Save a backup copy of the Excel file without the password protection.
4. Avoid sharing your password or Excel file with untrusted parties.
5. Use password encryption or protection features at the operating system level to keep your files secure.

Conclusion

Recovering Excel passwords doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Whether you choose to use a password recovery tool, VBA code, or an online password recovery service, there are options available to help you regain access to your files. Remember to always take precautions to prevent losing your password in the future.

FAQ

Here are some commonly asked questions about recovering Excel passwords:

What should I do if the Excel password recovery tool fails to recover my password?

If you have exhausted all possible password recovery methods and still cannot recover your Excel password, you may need to consider recreating the spreadsheet from scratch. Alternatively, you can save a copy of the locked Excel file as a .XML file and then open the .XML file in a text editor to see the contents of the Excel sheet.

Is it legal to use password recovery tools to recover an Excel password?

Password recovery tools are legal, as long as you have the right to access the Excel file. Password recovery tools should only be used for legitimate purposes, such as recovering a lost password to your own Excel file. Keep in mind that if you are using a password recovery tool to crack someone else’s Excel file, you may be committing a crime.

Why does VBA code sometimes fail to recover an Excel password?

VBA code may fail to recover an Excel password if the password is too complex or if the code is written incorrectly. When using VBA code, make sure you follow the instructions carefully and check that the code is correct before running it.

Should I use an online Excel password recovery service?

Online Excel password recovery services can be convenient and may save you time and effort. However, it’s important to choose a reputable service and be cautious about uploading confidential data to a third-party website.

How can I protect my Excel file from being hacked?

To protect your Excel file from being hacked, use strong passwords, avoid sharing your passwords with anyone, and use encryption and password protection features whenever possible. You can also use digital and physical security measures to protect your computer and network from unauthorized access.