How to Unlock an Excel Spreadsheet

Welcome to this blog post where we will be discussing “How to Unlock an Excel Spreadsheet”. If you use Microsoft Excel frequently, then you may have encountered a situation where you have forgotten the password to access a certain spreadsheet, or you downloaded a file from an unknown source and it is password-protected. This can be frustrating as it hinder your work and productivity, but worry not as we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to unlock an Excel Spreadsheet.

Why is an Excel Spreadsheet Locked?

Before we dive into how to unlock an Excel Spreadsheet, let’s understand why a spreadsheet is locked in the first place. An Excel spreadsheet can be locked for many reasons, the most common being to protect confidential information within the document. The excel spreadsheet can also be locked to restrict changes to the document preventing unintended damage or deletion of data.

How to Unlock Excel Spreadsheet with Password?

If the Excel Spreadsheet is password protected, the only way to unlock it is with the proper password. Follow the simple steps below to unlock your password-protected Excel Spreadsheet:

Step 1: Open the Password Protected Excel Spreadsheet

Open the Excel Spreadsheet you want to unlock and enter the password when prompted with the password box.

Step 2: Click on the “File” tab

On the top left corner of the Excel document, click the “File” tab. A drop-down menu will appear, click “Info” at the bottom of the menu.

Step 3: Click on “Protect Workbook” and then “Encrypt with Password”

Once on the “Info” page, click on “Protect Workbook” and then click “Encrypt with Password” in the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Remove the password and click OK

Delete the password in the given field and then click OK. Your Excel Spreadsheet is now unlocked.

How to Unlock an Excel Spreadsheet Without Password?

If you downloaded an Excel Spreadsheet from an unknown source or have forgotten the password, don’t worry, it is still possible to unlock the Excel Spreadsheet. Follow the simple steps below to unlock an Excel Spreadsheet without the password:

Step 1: Open the Password Protected Excel Spreadsheet

Open the Excel Spreadsheet you want to unlock and double-click on the .xlsx file to open it with Excel.

Step 2: Click on “File” and then “Save As”

Click on “File” and then click “Save As” to open the “Save As” dialogue box.

Step 3: Save the file as same format except extension

In the “Save As” dialogue box, choose “Excel Workbook” from dropdown and then change the file extension to .zip from .xlsx. Then save the file.

Step 4: Extract and Open XML file

Unzip the ZIP file using WinZip, 7zip or any compression software. You’ll be left with a collection of files that make up your Excel Spreadsheet. Find the XML file named “Workbook.xml” and extract it. Open the “Workbook.xml” file with Notepad or Notepad++ on PC.

Step 5: Find the Password Part

Use the find search box to look for “sheetProtection password” the password will be in-between quotes, and it starts with “hash” followed by a string of characters.

Step 6: Remove the Password Part

Delete the “sheetProtection password” section, with the string of characters in-between the quotes, then save the “Workbook.xml” file.

Step 7: Compress and Save

Compress the Excel folder back to .zip format. Change the file extension from .zip back to .xlsx. Now save the unzipped file and try to open it with Excel. The Excel Spreadsheet is now unlocked.

With these simple steps, you can easily unlock an Excel Spreadsheet with or without a password. Remember to keep your Excel data safe by regularly backing up important files and having strong but memorable passwords to protect them.

Tips to Protect Excel Spreadsheets

Prevention is always better than cure. As such, it is important to ensure that your Excel Spreadsheets are protected from unauthorized access to prevent unwanted mishaps. Here are some tips on how you can protect your Excel Spreadsheets:

Use Strong Passwords

Create strong passwords that are difficult for others to guess. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using common words or phrases.

Update Security Settings

You can update security settings to control access to your Excel Spreadsheet. You can set passwords to prevent accidental or malicious changes to important data, restrict permissions, and protect specific cells.

Use Data Encryption

You can use data encryption to provide an additional layer of security. Data encryption ensures that only those with the proper authorization can access the data.

Regularly Back Up Your Data

Regularly backing up important files ensures that you have a recent version of your Excel Spreadsheets in case of accidental deletions, hardware failure, or cyber-attacks.

Excel Spreadsheets are an essential tool in most workplaces. They hold sensitive and confidential data that requires protection from unauthorized access. With these simple steps, you can easily unlock an Excel Spreadsheet with or without a password. Remember to keep your Excel Spreadsheets secure by using strong passwords, updating security settings, and regularly backing up your data.

FAQs

Below are some of the frequently asked questions related to unlocking Excel Spreadsheets:

Can I unlock a password-protected Excel Spreadsheet without a password?

Yes, you can unlock a password-protected Excel Spreadsheet without a password. Follow the steps outlined in our blog post and you will be able to access your Excel Spreadsheet.

What happens if I forget the password to an Excel Spreadsheet?

If you forget the password to an Excel Spreadsheet, you can still unlock it using the steps we have outlined in our blog post.

Can I remove a password from an Excel Spreadsheet?

Yes, you can remove a password from an Excel Spreadsheet by following the instructions outlined in our blog post.

How can I ensure that my Excel Spreadsheets are secure?

You can ensure that your Excel Spreadsheets are secure by using strong passwords, updating your security settings, and regularly backing up your data.

What should I do if I encounter any issues while unlocking my Excel Spreadsheet?

If you encounter any issues while unlocking your Excel Spreadsheet, contact Microsoft Excel support for assistance.