Are you tired of having your Excel files edited by unauthorized users? One solution to this problem is by locking them. In this article, we will share with you different ways on how to lock and unlock Excel sheets. Additionally, we will also answer some frequently asked questions related to Excel locking and unlocking.
Method 1: Protect Sheet Feature
The Protect Sheet feature in Excel allows you to lock specific cells or the entire worksheet. Here’s how:
- Select the sheet or the specific cells you want to lock.
- Go to the Review tab and select “Protect Sheet”.
- A dialog box will appear. Set a password that you will use to unlock the sheet later.
- Choose the options you want to lock.
- Click OK.
Once you have done this, your sheet or cells will be locked, and users will need to enter the password to unlock them.
Method 2: VBA Code
If you want to be more advanced in locking your Excel sheet, using VBA code is the solution. Here’s how:
- Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
- Click on “Insert” and select “Module.”
- Copy and paste the following code:
- Close the editor and go back to your worksheet.
- Press Alt + F8 to open the macros dialog box.
- Select the PasswordBreaker macro and click “Run”.
“`
Sub PasswordBreaker()
‘Breaks worksheet password protection.
Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer
Dim i1 As Integer, i2 As Integer, i3 As Integer
Dim i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 As Integer
On Error Resume Next
For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66
For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66
For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126
ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _
Chr(l) & Chr(m) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & Chr(n)
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox “One usable password is ” & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
“`
This code will find the password for you. However, using VBA code has its limitations as it takes time to find passwords, and the success rate is not always 100%.
FAQ
Q1: Can I unlock an Excel sheet without a password?
Yes, in some cases, you can unlock an Excel sheet without a password. You can use VBA code or external tools such as Excel Password Recovery Master, Advanced Office Password Recovery, or PassFab Excel Password Recovery. However, unlocking an Excel sheet without a password is often against privacy laws, and you should use these methods with caution.
Q2: What is the difference between locking cells and protecting a sheet?
When you lock cells, you prevent users from editing and formatting the selected cells. However, they can still edit the rest of the cells in the sheet. Protecting a sheet, on the other hand, prevents users from editing and formatting the entire sheet, including locked cells. It also prevents users from deleting, inserting, or renaming worksheets.
Video Tutorial
Conclusion
Locking your Excel sheets is an essential measure to protect your data from unauthorized access. You can lock sheets using the Protect Sheet feature or using VBA code. Always remember to use strong passwords and to save them securely. Moreover, make sure to align your Excel security strategies with your organization’s security policies and regulations to prevent data leakage and legal violations.
