Excel has become an essential tool for businesses and individuals alike to manage data, create graphs and charts, and handle complex calculations. However, it’s not uncommon for users to forget their Excel password or inherit a locked worksheet from a previous owner. In this article, we will explore multiple ways to unlock a password-protected Excel file and recover its data.
Method 1: Try “password,” “12345,” or “11111”
It may seem obvious, but as simple as it sounds, it’s worth giving it a try, especially if you’re the one that set the password on the file in question. Many users opt for passwords that are easy to remember – even if they are not particularly secure. Try to enter basic passwords such as “password,” “12345,” “11111,” or a combination of your name and birthdate, and see if you can access the file.
Method 2: Remove the Password using VBA Code
If the previous method did not work, you can try to remove the password using VBA code. However, this method requires a basic understanding of programming and Excel macros, but don’t worry because we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step below.
- Open the Excel file that you intend to unlock.
- Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor window.
- Select “ThisWorkbook” from the Project Explorer pane (usually located on the left side of the screen).
- Paste the following code between the “Sub” and “End Sub” lines:
'Excel Password Remover developed by Jay Freedman
Sub PasswordRemover()
On Error Resume Next
ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _
Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(n) & Chr(i1) & _
Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox "One usable password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(n) & _
Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & _
Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
Else
MsgBox "Excel password remover by Jay Freedman"
End If
End Sub
- Save the file and close the VBA editor.
- Press Alt + F8 to open the Macros window.
- Select the previously created “PasswordRemover” macro and click “Run.”
- Wait for the macro to complete its job, and the password will be removed from your Excel file.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party Software
If the previous methods don’t work, you can try a third-party tool to unlock the Excel file. There are plenty of commercial and free applications available online that offer password recovery services for various versions of Excel. Software like Passper for Excel, Excel Password Recovery, or Excel Unlocker can work around the password protection to recover your data. However, note that using third-party software always carries some risk, so make sure to use a reputable program from a trusted source.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I recover the data from a corrupted Excel file?
If your Excel file is corrupted and fails to open correctly, you may not be able to recover your data quickly. However, there are still some methods to try:
- Try the built-in “Open and Repair” function: Open Excel, go to “File” – “Open” and select the problematic file. Click on the arrow next to the Open button and select “Open and Repair.” This will start the file repair process.
- Recover from Temp Folder: Go to the temp folder by entering %temp% in the Run dialog box or File Explorer. Check if the unsaved Excel file or a backup copy is present in this directory. If yes, copy the file to a new location and try to open the file.
- Use a third-party software: There are plenty of commercial and free applications available online that offer services to recover data from corrupted Excel files. Tools like DiskInternals Excel Repair, Recovery Toolbox for Excel, and ExcelFIX are worth checking out.
2. I forgot my Excel password, can I reset it?
If you forgot your Excel password, you can try the following methods:
- Try the methods described in this article: Method 1: Try “password,” “12345,” or “11111,” Method 2: Remove the Password using VBA Code, and Method 3: Use a Third-Party Software.
- Try your Microsoft account password: If you use OneDrive, Outlook, or any other Microsoft service, try using your login credentials to unlock your Excel file.
- Use an online service: Some websites offer a free online Excel password recovery service, where you can upload your file and let the service remove the password for you. However, make sure to use a reputable website and never upload confidential data.