Are you struggling to open an Excel file because you can’t remember the password? Don’t worry, there are ways to unlock protected Excel files without any software. In this article, we will provide some methods that you can use to open password-protected Excel files. So, let’s get started!
Method 1: Claim the Password
If you are the one who has set the password, then this method will work for you. The first thing you need to do is to think hard and try to recall the password. It might sound obvious, but sometimes we tend to forget things due to stress, workload, or any other reason. So, take a deep breath, relax and try to remember the password.
If you still can’t remember the password, then try all your previously used passwords. It is common to use the same password for multiple accounts. So, try all those passwords that you have ever used before or have been using currently.
If you have tried all the passwords you could think of and still can’t unlock the Excel file, then move on to the next method.
Method 2: Editing the Excel File
If method 1 didn’t work for you, then you can try editing the Excel file. Here’s how:
- Make a copy of the locked Excel file and rename it with a .zip extension. For example, if the file name is “locked.xls,” rename it to “locked.xls.zip.”
- Right-click on the file and select “Extract All.”
- Now, you should see a folder with the same name as the original file. Open it and go to the “xl” folder.
- Open the “worksheets” folder, and you should see a sheet file. Open it using a text editor like Notepad or WordPad.
- Now, find the line of code that reads “<sheetProtection password=’YourPasswordHere’.” Delete the password value, including the single quotes.
- Save the sheet file and exit the text editor.
- Zip all the extracted files and rename the archive with an .xls extension. For example, if the original file name was “locked.xls,” rename it to “unlocked.xls.”
- Now, you can open the unlocked Excel file without any password.
Note: If the Excel file contains multiple sheets, repeat the steps for each sheet.
FAQ
Q1. Is it legal to unlock password-protected Excel files?
A1. The legality of unlocking a password-protected Excel file depends on the situation. If you are unlocking a file that belongs to you and you have forgotten the password, then it is legal. However, if you are unlocking someone else’s file without their permission, then it is illegal.
Q2. Are there any software programs that can unlock password-protected Excel files?
A2. Yes, there are many third-party software programs that can unlock password-protected Excel files. However, we recommend trying the above two methods first, as they do not require any additional software.
Conclusion
In conclusion, forgetting the password to an Excel file can be frustrating, but there are ways to unlock it without any software. The first method is to try recalling the password or using previously used passwords. If that doesn’t work, you can try editing the Excel file by changing the code. We hope this article has been helpful to you, and you can now unlock your password-protected Excel files.
Video Tutorial: How to Unlock Protected Excel Files
If you prefer to watch a video tutorial, check out the below video by Excel Campus:
Thank you for reading!
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