There are times when we need to open an Excel file that has been protected with a password. This can be a frustrating experience, especially if you do not know the password or have forgotten it. There are, however, ways to open a password-protected Excel file and in this article, we will explore some of them.
Before we dive into the different methods, it is important to know that opening a password-protected Excel file without authorization is illegal. So, make sure that you have the right to open the file or that you are authorized to do so.
Method 1: Try to remember the password
The easiest way to open a password-protected Excel file is to try to remember the password. This might seem like a no-brainer, but many people forget that they might have actually set a password for the file. Think back to when you created the file and try to remember if you set a password for it.
If you cannot remember the password, try using passwords that you might have used before. You can also try using passwords that are related to the file or the content in it. For example, if the Excel file contains financial information, try using a password related to finance or accounting.
Method 2: Use online password remover tools
If you have tried to remember the password and have failed, there are various online password remover tools that you can use to unlock the Excel file. These tools use brute force algorithms to try millions of passwords until the correct one is found.
One of the popular online Excel password remover tools is Online Password Recovery. This tool is easy to use and can unlock Excel files that are protected with a password. Simply upload the Excel file to the website, select the type of attack (brute force, mask or dictionary), and click on the “Start” button. The tool will then start trying different combinations of passwords until the right one is found.
Another online password remover tool that you can use is Password Online Recovery. This tool uses a similar brute force algorithm to crack the password protection on the Excel file. Simply upload the file, select the password attack type, and click on the “Start” button. The tool will then start trying different combinations of passwords until it finds the right one.
It is important to note that these online password remover tools might take a long time to crack the password, especially if the password is strong. Additionally, since these tools are online, it is important to ensure that you are using a secure network and that the website is trustworthy.
Method 3: Use VBA code
If the Excel file is protected with a password, but you can still open it, you can use VBA code to unlock it. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a programming language that you can use to automate tasks in Excel. Here are the steps to unlock the Excel file using VBA code:
1. Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor in Excel.
2. Go to Insert -> Module to insert a new module.
3. In the module window, paste the following code:
Sub UnprotectSheet()
Dim strPassword As String
strPassword = InputBox(“Enter Password”)
ActiveSheet.Unprotect strPassword
End Sub
4. Press F5 to run the code.
5. Enter the password when prompted.
6. Save the file without the password.
This VBA code will prompt you to enter the password for the Excel file, and once entered, it will unlock the file and remove the password protection.
Method 4: Use a password recovery program
If you have tried all the above methods and none of them have worked, you can use a password recovery program. Password recovery programs are specifically designed to help you recover or remove passwords from Excel files that are locked or protected. One of the popular password recovery programs is Passware Kit.
Passware Kit is a comprehensive password recovery software that supports all versions of Excel and can recover passwords from encrypted documents. The software uses advanced algorithms to find the passwords, and it can also remove the password protection from the Excel file.
Using Passware Kit is easy. Simply download and install the software, open it, and select the Excel file that you want to recover the password from. The software will then start the password recovery process, and once the password is found, it will display it on the screen.
FAQs:
Q: Is it legal to open a password-protected Excel file without authorization?
A: No, it is illegal to open a password-protected Excel file without authorization. Make sure that you have the right to open the file or that you are authorized to do so.
Q: Can I use online password remover tools to unlock Excel files?
A: Yes, there are various online password remover tools that you can use to unlock Excel files. However, these tools might take a long time to crack the password, especially if the password is strong. Additionally, since these tools are online, it is important to ensure that you are using a secure network and that the website is trustworthy.
Conclusion:
Opening a password-protected Excel file can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. By trying to remember the password, using online password remover tools, using VBA code, or using a password recovery program, you can unlock Excel files that are protected with a password. However, it is important to remember that opening a password-protected Excel file without authorization is illegal, so make sure that you have the right to open the file or that you are authorized to do so.
