Excel is a popular software program used by many businesses and individuals to manage and analyze data. However, sometimes people encounter a problem where they forget their Excel password or inherit a file with a password they don’t know. Luckily, there are ways to unlock Excel files with passwords. In this article, we will explore some of the different methods for unlocking an Excel file and answer some common questions related to Excel password recovery.
Method 1: Use a Password Recovery Tool
If you have forgotten the password to an Excel file, one of the best methods for recovering the password is by using a password recovery tool. These tools are specifically designed to help users unlock password-protected files. There are many different password recovery tools available on the internet, and some of them are free while others require payment.
One of the most popular password recovery tools for Excel is called PassFab for Excel. This software can quickly recover any Excel password, regardless of complexity. It can also recover passwords for multiple versions of Excel, including Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 and earlier versions. With this tool, you can easily remove or reset the password on an Excel document in a matter of minutes. Here are the steps to recover an Excel password using PassFab for Excel:
- Download and install PassFab for Excel on your computer.
- Open the software and click “Add” to import the password-protected Excel file.
- Select the type of attack you want to use to recover the password. PassFab for Excel offers three types of attack: Dictionary Attack, Brute Force with Mask Attack, and Brute Force Attack. Dictionary Attack is the most commonly used attack method, as it tries all of the words in a predefined dictionary to recover the password. Brute Force with Mask Attack is more powerful than Dictionary Attack, as it allows you to create a custom mask for the password and Brute Force Attack is the most powerful method, as it tries all possible combinations of characters to recover the password.
- Click “Start” to begin the password recovery process.
- Once the password has been recovered, click “Copy” to copy the password to the clipboard and then open the password-protected Excel file. You should be prompted to enter the password, and once you paste it in, you will have access to the file again.
Method 2: Use John the Ripper
John the Ripper is another popular password recovery tool that can be used to recover Excel passwords. This is a command-line tool that is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. It is free and open-source software that allows users to recover lost passwords for various file formats, including Excel files.
Here are the steps to recover an Excel password using John the Ripper:
- Download and install John the Ripper on your computer.
- Extract the contents of the file and open a command prompt.
- Using the command prompt, navigate to the directory where John the Ripper is installed.
- Enter the command “zip2john [file_name].xlsx > [output_file_name.txt]” to convert the Excel file to a format that John the Ripper can use.
- Enter the command “john –wordlist=[dictionary_file_name.txt] [output_file_name.txt]” and press Enter to start the recovery process. John the Ripper will use the dictionary file to try to crack the password. If the dictionary file does not contain the password, you can use other attack methods like brute force with mask attack or brute force attack.
- If the password is successfully recovered, it will be displayed in the command prompt. You can then use the password to open the password-protected Excel file.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover an Excel file password without using a third-party tool?
A: Yes, you can try to recover an Excel password without using a third-party tool by using the “Open and Repair” option in Excel. This feature can help repair corrupted Excel files, and it may also remove password protection from the file. To use this feature, open Excel and click “File” > “Open.” Then, select the password-protected Excel file and click the arrow on the “Open” button. Select “Open and Repair” from the dropdown menu and follow the prompts. If this method does not work, you may need to try one of the other methods discussed in this article.
Q: Is it legal to use password recovery tools to unlock Excel files?
A: In most cases, it is legal to use password recovery tools to unlock Excel files that you own or have legal access to. However, it is important to note that some password recovery tools can also be used for illegal purposes, such as hacking into other people’s accounts. You should always use password recovery tools ethically and only use them for their intended purpose.
Conclusion
Excel is a powerful program that can help businesses and individuals manage and analyze data. Unfortunately, password-protected Excel files can sometimes be a roadblock to accessing this data. Fortunately, there are several methods for recovering Excel passwords, including password recovery tools like PassFab for Excel and John the Ripper. By using these tools, you can quickly and easily recover passwords for Excel files and regain access to your data.
