Do you want to know how to open Excel files that are locked with a password? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll show you how to open password-protected Excel files in several easy steps, including a complete guide on how to unlock Excel files without using any third-party software.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Open a Password-Protected Excel File
Opening an Excel file that is locked with a password is a simple process. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Open Microsoft Excel on your computer.
- Click on the “File” tab.
- Select “Open” from the drop-down menu.
- Locate the Excel file you want to open and select it.
- Click on the drop-down arrow next to the “Open” button.
- Select “Open and Repair” from the drop-down menu.
- Choose “Repair” if you want to recover as much data from the file as possible, or select “Extract Data” if you only want to recover the data. Extracting data will remove any formatting, formulas, or charts from the file.
- Enter the password in the password box and click “OK.”
How to Unlock Excel Files Without Using Any Third-Party Software
If you do not want to use any third-party software to unlock Excel files, you can use a simple method called “Brute Force Attack.” This method is effective, but it can take some time if the password is complex.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the password-protected Excel file.
- Click on the “File” tab and select “Save As.”
- Choose “Excel Workbook” from the drop-down menu and click on “Save.”
- Open a new Excel file.
- Click on the “Data” tab and select “From Text.”
- Select the saved Excel file and click “Import.”
- Choose “Delimited” from the first dialog box and click “Next.”
- Check the “Comma” and “Tab” checkboxes and click “Next.”
- Select “General” from the Column Data Format list and click “Finish.”
- Click on the first cell and enter the formula “=CHAR(COLUMN()+64)” without quotes.
- Copy the formula to the entire row by dragging the fill handle or copying and pasting.
- Click on any cell that contains a letter and select “Copy.”
- Click on the first cell containing an asterisk in the original file and select “Paste.”
- Repeat steps 12-14 for all cells containing an asterisk in the original file.
- Save the new file as an Excel Workbook.
- Open the saved file and you will see that all cells that contain a letter are the password characters.
FAQ
Can I open an Excel file without a password?
Yes, you can open an Excel file without a password by simply clicking “OK” when prompted for the password. However, you will not be able to edit or save any changes to the file unless you enter the correct password.
What should I do if I have forgotten the password for an Excel file?
If you have forgotten the password for an Excel file, you can try using a Brute Force Attack or a Dictionary Attack in a third-party software. These methods can take some time, but they are effective in unlocking Excel files that are locked with a password. Alternatively, you can contact the person who password-protected the Excel file and ask for the password.
Video Tutorial – How to Open Password-Protected Excel Files
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to open password-protected Excel files in just a few easy steps:
Conclusion
Opening password-protected Excel files is a simple process that can be done with or without using third-party software. By following the steps in this article, you will be able to open Excel files that are locked with a password and recover your data without any issues.
