For those who frequently work with spreadsheets, Excel is one of the most popular tools out there. However, there are times when you need to access Excel files on a computer without Excel installed, or maybe you forgot the password to your Excel file and cannot access it. In this article, we will discuss how to open Excel files in Google Spreadsheet, as well as the different methods to unlock password-protected Excel files.
Opening Excel files in Google Spreadsheet
Google Spreadsheet is a great alternative to Excel, especially if you need to access your files from anywhere, as it is cloud-based. To open an Excel file in Google Spreadsheet, follow these steps:
- Go to Google Spreadsheet and sign in to your Google account.
- Click on “File” in the top left corner.
- Select “Import”.
- Click on “Upload” and choose the Excel file you want to open.
- Select the file and click on “Open”.
- Choose the import options and click on “Import data”.
- Your Excel file will now be opened in Google Spreadsheet.
Unlocking password-protected Excel files
There are several methods to unlock password-protected Excel files, depending on the version of Excel you are using and the complexity of the password. Here are some of the most common methods:
Method 1: Use an online Excel password remover
One of the easiest ways to unlock password-protected Excel files is to use an online password remover tool. There are several of these tools available online for free, such as Online Password Remove and Lost My Pass. To use these tools:
- Open your web browser and go to the website of the password remover.
- Upload your Excel file to the website.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to remove the password from your file.
- Download the unlocked file.
However, it is important to note that these online tools may not be secure, so use caution when using them.
Method 2: Use the VBA editor
If you are using a version of Excel before 2013, you can use the VBA editor to unlock your file. Here’s how:
- Open the Excel file.
- Press “Alt + F11” to open the VBA editor window.
- Double-click on the “ThisWorkbook” object.
- Copy and paste the following code into the editor:
- Press “F5” to run the code.
- A pop-up window will appear with a usable password.
- Use the password to unlock the Excel file.
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 Step 1
ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & _
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(i1) & Chr(i2) & _
Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
Method 3: Use a commercial Excel password cracker
If you are using a newer version of Excel, or if the password is highly complex, you may need to use a commercial Excel password cracker tool. These tools are specifically designed to remove passwords from Excel files and can handle even the toughest passwords. Some popular Excel password crackers include Passware Excel Key and Accent Excel Password Recovery. However, these tools can be expensive, so use them only if you really need to.
FAQ
1. Can I open an Excel file in Google Spreadsheet if I don’t have an internet connection?
No, Google Spreadsheet is a cloud-based application, so you need an internet connection to access it. If you want to work with Excel files offline, you will need to use the desktop version of Excel.
2. Is it safe to use online Excel password remover tools?
It depends on the tool. Some online password remover tools may not be secure and could potentially steal your data. Use caution when using these tools and research them thoroughly before using them.