In today’s digital age, data security is of paramount importance in all spheres of life. Numerous applications and software come with the feature of password-protected files. One such software that comes to mind is Microsoft Excel, which is used widely across industries for various data management tasks. But what happens when you forget the password to your Excel file? Fear not, as this article will guide you through the various ways in which you can open password-protected Excel files with ease.
Method 1: Utilizing the In-built Option in Excel
Microsoft provides its users with an in-built option to open password-protected Excel files, known as the “Password Remover” feature. This feature is available in Excel versions 2013 and above.
To use this feature, follow the below steps:
- Open the password-protected Excel file in question.
- Navigate to the “File” tab at the top-left corner of the window.
- Select the “Info” option.
- Click on the “Protect Workbook” dropdown list.
- Select “Encrypt with Password”.
- Delete the contents of the password box and press enter.
- You will now be prompted with a dialogue box asking for the password. Leave the password box blank and select “OK”.
- You will now have access to the password-protected Excel file.
Method 2: Utilizing Third-party Software
If the in-built option in Excel does not work for you, there are numerous third-party software options available to open password-protected Excel files. One such option is the “Excel Password Recovery” tool.
This software comes with the feature to crack password-protected files in a matter of minutes. The process is simple and involves the following steps:
- Download and install the “Excel Password Recovery” software on your computer.
- Launch the software and select the password-protected Excel file that you wish to unlock.
- Choose the type of attack you wish to perform; this can be either a brute-force, mask or dictionary attack.
- Start the attack and wait for the software to find the password.
- Once the password is found, enter it into the Excel file to unlock it.
FAQ
1. What if I have forgotten the password to my Excel file and the in-built option in Excel does not work?
If the in-built option in Excel does not work and you have forgotten the password to your Excel file, you can try utilizing third-party software to crack the password. One such software is the “Excel Password Recovery” tool.
2. Is it ethical to use third-party software to crack password-protected files?
It depends on the situation. If you are attempting to unlock a file that belongs to someone else without their consent, then it is unethical. However, if the file belongs to you or you have the consent of the owner to unlock the file, then it is ethical.
Video Tutorial: How to Open Password-Protected Excel Files
Conclusion
Encountering password-protected Excel files can be a significant hurdle for those who need access to them but have forgotten the password. However, methods such as utilizing the in-built option in Excel or third-party software such as the “Excel Password Recovery” tool can help you overcome such hurdles with ease. It is necessary to keep in mind that unlocking files without consent is unethical and can lead to severe legal implications.
