As a creative professional, it’s common to find yourself working with various file formats. One of the most popular file formats when it comes to data management and analysis is Excel. However, dealing with Excel files can pose a challenge especially when you forget your password or need to work with CSV files. In this article, we’ll delve into different ways of handling Excel files, including a step-by-step guide on how to unlock password protected Excel files, how to convert CSV files to Excel, and how to efficiently work with Excel files online using Google Sheets.
How to Unlock Password Protected Excel Files
If you’ve ever encountered a password-protected Excel file, then you know how frustrating it can be trying to access the data within it. But fear not, as unlocking such files can be done in a few simple steps, as outlined below:
Step 1: Open your Password Protected Excel File
Double-click on the password protected Excel file to open it. You will be prompted to enter the password. Enter the password and click “OK”. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Excel file and choose “Open with” followed by “Google Sheets”.
Step 2: Save the Excel File as “Webpage”
Once the Excel file is open, click on “File” > “Save As”. In the “Save as type” dropdown menu, choose “Web page”. This will save your Excel file as an HTML file. Make sure you save it in a location where you can easily find it.
Step 3: Extract XML Code from HTML file
Right-click on the HTML file and choose “Open with” then “Notepad”. This will open the HTML file in notepad. Copy all the text within the file and paste it into an Excel worksheet. This will create a table with the data from your Excel file.
Step 4: Remove Password Protection
Next, right-click on the sheet tab and choose “View Code”. In the editor, find this line of code:
<x:SheetProtection Password=”password” Sheet=”2″/>
Replace the “password” label with an empty string (i.e remove the text between the quotation strings). This will remove the password protection from your Excel file.
Step 5: Save the Excel File
Click on “File” > “Save As”. In the “Save as type” dropdown menu, choose “XML Spreadsheet 2003”. This will save your Excel file, without password protection. You can now access all the data in the file with ease.
How to Convert CSV files to Excel
CSV (Comma Separated Values) files are a common way to export data from various systems. However, working with CSV files is not as intuitive as working with Excel files. Luckily, converting CSV files to Excel can be done in a few simple steps as shown below:
Step 1: Open Excel and Create a New Worksheet
Open Excel and click on “File” > “New Workbook”. This will create a new worksheet that you’ll use to import the CSV file.
Step 2: Import CSV File
Next, click on “Data” > “From Text/CSV”. Choose your CSV file and click “Import”.
Step 3: Set Delimiter and Data Type
If your CSV file is delimited by a character other than comma, specify it using the “Delimiter” field. Alternatively, you can choose “Delimiter” in the preview window, and Excel will automatically detect the delimiter. Once you have set the delimiter, choose the appropriate “Data Type” for each column in your CSV file and click “Load”.
Step 4: Save as Excel File
To save your newly imported CSV file as an Excel file, simply click on “File” > “Save As”. In the “Save as type” dropdown, choose “Excel Workbook”. You can then name your file and choose the location to save it.
How to Efficiently Work with Excel Files Online Using Google Sheets
Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet program that allows you to create and edit spreadsheets online. You can easily share your spreadsheets with others, collaborate in real-time, and access your sheets from anywhere, provided you have an internet connection. Here’s how to efficiently work with Excel files online using Google Sheets:
Step 1: Open Google Sheets
To work with Excel files online using Google Sheets, first, you have to open Google Sheets. You can do this by visiting sheets.google.com and signing in to your Google account.
Step 2: Import Your Excel File
Next, click on “File” > “Import” > “Upload” and select your Excel file. You can also drag and drop your file to upload it.
Step 3: Choose Import Settings
Once your Excel file is uploaded, you’ll be prompted to select which sheets you want to import. You’ll be able to choose the format of your data (Automatic, Plain Text, or 2007-2019), as well as decide whether or not to convert text to numbers, and whether to enable your imported file for offline editing. Choose the settings that work best for your data.
Step 4: Edit and Work Online in Real-Time
You can now work on your Excel file online in Google Sheets. You can edit the file, add formulas, and collaborate with other people in real-time. Google Sheets saves your work automatically, so you don’t have to worry about losing your progress.
FAQ
1. Why Do I Need to Convert CSV files to Excel?
CSV files are often exported from databases and other systems. However, dealing with CSV files can be challenging since they lack some features available in Excel, such as formulas and charts. Converting CSV files to Excel enables you to take advantage of Excel’s powerful features, manipulate the data and visualize it in different ways.
2. Can I Convert Excel Files to CSV files?
Yes, you can. To convert Excel files to CSV files, simply click on “File” > “Save As”. In the “Save as type” dropdown, choose “CSV (Comma delimited)”. You can then name your file and choose the location to save it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, handling Excel files can be a challenge for creative professionals. Whether it’s a password-protected file, a CSV file, or the need to work online collaboratively with others, the solutions above have got you covered. No matter the task at hand, there’s always a way to work with Excel files.
