How to Unlock Excel Sheet

If you’re looking for a quick and direct answer to how to unlock Excel sheet, you’ve come to the right place. Microsoft Excel is a versatile and powerful tool for data analysis and management, but there are times when you may forget your password or encounter a file that’s been password-protected by someone else. While locked sheets provide an added layer of security, it can be frustrating if you need to access the data contained within. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through some easy-to-follow steps to help you unlock Excel sheet and regain access to your data.

Why Would You Want to Unlock an Excel Sheet?

Before we dive into how to unlock an Excel sheet, let’s first look at why you might want to do this. There are several reasons why you might need to unlock an Excel sheet:

• You need to make changes to a sheet but you can’t because it’s password-protected
• You’ve forgotten the password for a protected sheet
• You need to view or edit data in a sheet that has been protected by someone else

How to Unlock Excel Sheet: Method 1

The first method we’ll explore is by using a Macro to unlock the password-protected sheet. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the workbook that contains the protected sheet
2. Open the Visual Basic Editor by pressing ALT + F11 on your keyboard
3. Click on “Insert” from the menu bar and select “Module” from the drop-down list
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 n = 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 ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _ Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(n) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & _ Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then MsgBox “One usable password is ” & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _ Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(n) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & _ Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) Exit Sub End If Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next End Sub

5. Close the Visual Basic Editor and go back to the worksheet
6. Press ALT + F8 on your keyboard to bring up the Macro dialog box
7. Select the PasswordBreaker Macro and click on “Run”
8. Once the Macro has finished running, you should be able to edit the locked worksheet

How to Unlock Excel Sheet: Method 2

If the Macro method didn’t work for you, don’t worry – there’s another method you can try. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Download and install “Excel Password Recovery” software
2. Run the software and click on “Add” to import the password-protected Excel file
3. Click on “Start” and wait for the software to retrieve the password for you
4. Once the password has been retrieved, you should be able to open and edit the locked worksheet

How to Unlock Excel Sheet: Method 3

One final method you can try to unlock an Excel sheet is by copying the sheet to a new workbook. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the sheet that you want to unlock and select “Move or Copy”
2. In the “Move or Copy” dialog box, click on “New Workbook”
3. Check the box next to “Create a copy”
4. Click on “OK”
5. You should now have a new workbook with an unlocked copy of the protected sheet

Final Thoughts

Unlocking an Excel sheet can be a great relief, especially when you need to make important changes or access a document that was created by someone else. However, it’s important to remember that Excel sheet protection is there for a reason and that removing it can leave your data exposed to unwanted editing or changes. Always ensure that you re-apply sheet protection once you have completed your changes.

In Conclusion

Unlocking an Excel sheet can be frustrating, but with the right tools and a bit of know-how, it’s easy to do. Whether you choose to use a Macro, an Excel Password Recovery tool, or copy a sheet to a new workbook, you now know several methods that you can use to regain access to your data. And don’t forget to re-apply sheet protection once you have completed your changes. Happy Excel-ing!

FAQs about Unlocking Excel Sheets

Here are some common questions people ask about unlocking Excel sheets:

Q: How do I unlock an Excel sheet if I forgot the password?

A: You can use an Excel Password Recovery tool to retrieve the password or try the Macro method mentioned in this post. If none of those methods work, you can try copying the sheet to a new workbook.

Q: Is it legal to unlock a password-protected Excel sheet?

A: Generally, yes, as long as you are the owner of the file or have obtained permission from the owner. However, it’s important to respect the confidentiality and privacy of any information contained within the sheet.

Q: Can I unlock an Excel sheet on a Mac?

A: Yes, you can unlock an Excel sheet on a Mac using the same methods outlined in this post.

Q: Will unlocking an Excel sheet remove all password protection?

A: No, unlocking an Excel sheet using the methods mentioned in this post will only allow you to access and edit the protected sheet. However, it’s important to re-apply sheet protection once you have completed your changes.

Q: Is there a way to prevent others from unlocking or editing my Excel sheets?

A: Yes, you can protect your Excel sheets by using strong passwords and applying sheet protection with permissions. This can help prevent unauthorized editing or unlocking of your sheets.