How to Remove Password Protection from Excel

Welcome to this blog post, where I’ll be teaching you how to remove password protection from Excel. Microsoft Excel is an amazing and widely used program for organizing and processing data. Password protection is an essential tool that helps keep your sensitive data safe from unauthorized access and prying eyes. However, when you forget your password, or are given an Excel spreadsheet with a password you don’t know, it can be frustrating not being able to access the file. Fortunately, there are different ways to remove password protection from Excel, and in this blog post, I’ll guide you through quick and easy methods to unlock password-protected Excel sheets.

Method 1: Use Online Tools to Remove Excel Password Protection

One of the quickest and easiest methods to remove password protection from Excel is to use online tools. These tools are free, and they work well with Excel 97-2019 versions in both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Step 1: Upload the Password-Protected Excel File to an Online Tool

One of the most popular online tools for removing Excel password protection is online-convert.com. Once you have accessed the site, click the “Choose File” button to select the Excel file you want to remove the password from.

Step 2: Choose the Excel Output Format

After uploading the file, choose the format you want the file to be converted to. In this case, select “Convert to XLSX” format and click “Convert”.

Step 3: Download the Converted Excel File

Once the tool has finished converting the file, you can download the converted Excel file that is now free from password protection. Open the file, and you are good to go!

Method 2: Remove Excel Password Protection Using ZIP Compression

This method involves changing the file extension of the Excel file to a ZIP archive and then deleting the XML file containing the password. This process works for Excel versions 2007 and later and should be completed on a desktop or laptop computer.

Step 1: Change the File Extension of the Password-Protected Excel File

Change the file extension of the Excel file by renaming it using the “.zip” file extension.

Step 2: Open the Zipped Excel File

Open the ZIP archive file and locate the “xl” folder. Inside the folder, you will find another folder named “worksheets”.

Step 3: Delete the XML File Containing the Password

Locate the XML file containing the password and delete it. The file name may vary depending on the Excel version, but it usually contains a word like “protect” or “sheet protection”.

Step 4: Change the File Extension back to XLSX format

Save the new file with the same name, ensuring to change the file extension back to “.xlsx”.

Method 3: Remove Excel Password Protection with VBA Code

This method requires a basic knowledge of Excel VBA code but is an efficient way to remove password protection from multiple Excel files at once.

Step 1: Open Excel VBA Editor

Press “Alt” and “F11” simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Excel VBA Editor.

Step 2: Insert VBA Code

Copy and paste the following code into the editor:
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 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 n = 32 To 126 ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _ Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(n) If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then MsgBox "One usable password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _ Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(n) Exit Sub End If Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: NextEnd Sub

Step 3: Run the VBA Code to Remove Password Protection

Once you have inserted the code, run it by pressing “F5” and wait for a pop-up message with a usable password.

With these three methods to remove password protection from Excel, you can now easily access your sensitive data and modify your spreadsheets whenever you need to. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave a comment.

Additional Tips for Safeguarding Important Data in Excel

While removing password protection from Excel files is certainly a useful skill to have, it’s also important to prioritize the security of your sensitive data. Here are a few tips to help you best protect your important information in Excel:

Tip 1: Use Strong Passwords

When you do use password protection for your Excel files, make sure to choose strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols for the best security possible.

Tip 2: Use Encryption for Extra Security

Encryption is another powerful tool you can use to protect your sensitive data in Excel. To encrypt your Excel files, click on “File” and then select “Info”. From there, click on “Protect Workbook” and select “Encrypt with Password”.

Tip 3: Don’t Rely Solely on Password Protection

While password protection and encryption are powerful tools, it’s important not to rely solely on them for the safety of your important data in Excel. Make sure to maintain regular backups of your Excel files and store them securely in multiple locations for the best protection possible.

In Conclusion

Removing password protection from your Excel files is a quick and easy process that can save you a lot of time and frustration. Whether you choose to use online tools, ZIP compression, or VBA code to remove passwords, you can easily reclaim access to your sensitive data. However, always remember to prioritize the safety of your data by using strong passwords, encrypting your files, and maintaining regular backups.

FAQ

Here are a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their answers about how to remove password protection from Excel:

Q: Can I remove password protection from any Excel file?

A: No, you can only remove password protection from an Excel file if you know the password or if it is your file. Trying to remove password protection from someone else’s file without their permission is illegal.

Q: Is it safe to use online tools to remove password protection from Excel?

A: Generally, online tools are safe to use. However, it’s important to make sure you use a reputable website and take precautions to protect your personal information. Use your best judgment when using an online password removal tool.

Q: Can I remove password protection from Excel files on a mobile device?

A: It is possible to remove password protection from Excel files on a mobile device, but it is a more complicated process. It’s best to do this on a desktop or laptop computer where you have access to more advanced software.

Q: Can I remove password protection from multiple Excel files at once?

A: Using VBA code, it is possible to remove password protection from multiple Excel files at once. However, it requires a basic knowledge of Excel VBA code to do so.

Q: What should I do if I forget my Excel password and can’t remove the protection?

A: If you forget your Excel password, unfortunately, there is no way to remove the password protection from the Excel file. You will need to recreate the sheet or start over with a new file.