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Unlock Excel Sheet Without Password: 4 Proven Ways
8 min. read
Updated onOctober 3, 2024
updated onOctober 3, 2024
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Want to learn how to unlock an Excel sheet without a password in case you forget it?
Microsoft Excelworkbooks and worksheets come with individual protection features. They prevent unauthorized users from editing or making structural changes to the content. Also, if you’ve used the workbook encryption functionality, you might not even open it without a password.
So, if you’ve misplaced the password or the file got corrupted and no longer accepts the right passphrase, you can take a few steps to recover your data.
I’ve tested the following password-unlocking methods and outlined the exact steps you need to follow to access your data quickly.
How To Unlock Excel Sheet Without Password
Before moving ahead with the instructions, you should know about some of the limitations:
If you’re okay with the above risks and shortcomings, follow along:
With an Excel Password Recovery Tool
This is the easiest and most intuitive method to unlock an Excel sheet without a password.If you’re okay with uploading your workbook to a third-party server, follow these steps:
You can now freely edit the worksheet contents or change the workbook structures.
I alsotested the app with an Excel workbook protected with file access encryption. You usually add this lock from theSave Asdialog box, by clicking theToolsoption at the bottom, near theSavebutton.
This protection prevents you from opening the file as well as making the workbook read-only.
So, when you upload this type of workbook, LostMyPass uses theWeak password recoveryalgorithm. It runs through all possible password combinations.
The password I used for the test file was12345. The programunlocked that in less than a minute.
Moreover, LostMyPass appears to be anHTTPS site. It means the tool encrypts data at rest or in transit.
Using Google Drive
When you need to unlock a confidential worksheet with Protect Sheet and Protect Workbook locks, you can use Google Drive. It’smore secure than random third-partyapps. Let’s look at the steps:
Your web browser will download a copy of the Google Sheets file in theXLSX format. You can now edit the Excel workbook or worksheet the way you like.
This methodwon’t work if the source Excel workbook was saved as access-protected.
Using XML Editing
If you don’t want to use any third-party programs to unlock an Excel sheet without a password, you can try this approach. This is completely offline and performed on the local PC without leaving any online traces.
If you’re unable to rename a worksheet or add more to an Excel file, the Protect Workbook feature is active. Here’s how to remove that so you can change the workbook structure:
Now, you’ll be able torename,add, andremove sheets.
With a VBA Macro
By using this approach, you can unlock an Excel sheet without a password using a script. You’ll only need to run a VBA macro which will look up the password and disable it.
Summary
These are some of the methods you can try to unlock an Excel sheet without a password. If you’d like toremove passwords from your Excel file, we also have a guide for that.
Don’t forget to leave a comment below to share which approach you liked the most or if you know a better technique.
We also have troubleshooting guides if youcan’t open Excel files by double-clicking themorunlock grayed-out menus.
More about the topics:Microsoft 365,Microsoft Excel,Microsoft Office
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
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Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
