Do you have a password-protected Excel file that you need to access urgently, but you have forgotten the password? Well, worry no more. This article will guide you on how to unlock a password-protected Excel file without using any software. So, let’s get started!
Step 1: Save a Copy of the Password-Protected Excel File
The first step in unlocking a password-protected Excel file is to save a copy of the file that you want to open. This step is important to ensure that you do not damage the original file if you put in the wrong password while attempting to unlock it.
To save a copy of the file, you can right-click on it, and select “Save As”. You can then proceed to save the copy of the file to the desired location on your computer.
Step 2: Open the Password-Protected Excel File using ZIP
After saving a copy of the password-protected Excel file, the next step is to open it using a ZIP program. This step is important because the Excel file is actually a ZIP file that contains all the data and the password. So, by opening it using a ZIP program, you can access the encrypted data and the password.
To open the file using ZIP, you can change the file extension from “.xlsx” to “.zip”. You can then open the file using a ZIP program such as WinZip, 7-Zip, or WinRAR.
Step 3: Locate and Extract the XML File containing the Password
After opening the Excel file using a ZIP program, the next step is to locate and extract the XML file that contains the password. The file is usually located in the “xl” folder, and its name is “workbook.xml”.
To extract the file, you can right-click on it and select “Extract”. You can then proceed to save the extracted file to any location on your computer.
Step 4: Open the Extracted XML File and Remove the Password
Now that you have extracted the XML file containing the password, the next step is to open the file using a text editor such as Notepad. You can then remove the password from the file by deleting the characters between the “<sheetProtection” and “/>” tags.
After deleting the password, you can save the file and exit the text editor.
Step 5: Compress the Extracted Files and Edit the Extension
After removing the password from the XML file, the next step is to compress all the extracted files back into a ZIP file. You can do this by selecting all the files, right-clicking, and selecting “Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder”.
After compressing the files, you can then change the file extension from “.zip” to “.xlsx”. This step is necessary to ensure that the Excel file can be opened normally.
Step 6: Open the Unlocked Excel File
Now that you have removed the password from the Excel file and compressed it back into a ZIP file with the correct extension, the next step is to open the file using Microsoft Excel. You should now be able to access the Excel file without any password prompt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is it legal to unlock a password-protected Excel file without the owner’s permission?
A1. No, it is not legal to unlock a password-protected Excel file without the owner’s permission. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule, such as if you are trying to access an Excel file that belongs to you or if there is a legitimate reason for accessing the file.
Q2. Can I use this method to unlock any password-protected Excel file?
A2. No, this method may not work for all password-protected Excel files, especially if the file uses advanced encryption techniques or if the password is too complex. However, it is still worth trying this method as it has been proven to work for many Excel files.
Video Tutorial – Unlocking a Password-Protected Excel File without Software
If you prefer a video tutorial on how to unlock a password-protected Excel file without using any software, you can watch the following video:
Conclusion
Unlocking a password-protected Excel file without using any software is possible, as long as you follow the steps outlined in this article. Remember to save a copy of the Excel file and extract the XML file containing the password before removing the password and compressing the files back into a ZIP file. Also, keep in mind that it may not work for all Excel files, especially those that use advanced encryption techniques. Hopefully, this article has been helpful in guiding you on how to unlock a password-protected Excel file.
