If you want to unprotect Excel sheet if you forgot your password, then you are on the right page. This page will explain the best ways to remove password protection from an Excel sheet using Google Sheets, by changing the file extension, using VBA codes, and a professional solution.
As we all know, Microsoft Excel is a popular application for managing data in cells and columns. Also, you can protect your crucial data with password protection. And forgetting your password is a normal case with multiple users, but recovering an unknown password is not an easy task for anyone.
So don’t worry, this guide will help you to find the best ways to unprotect Excel sheet if you forgot your password. Let’s start the topic.
Important Note: Removing password protection from an Excel workbook is not a legal process until the file belongs to you. So, you can try to use third-party tools to recover Excel sheet password, like SysTools Excel Password Recovery Tool. This is the only software that can find accurate and correct unknown and partially known passwords. It supports all types of characters, from simple to complex passwords. Try the free demo version to open password-protected Excel file.
Is It Possible to Open Password-Protected Excel File?
Yes, it is possible to unprotect Excel sheet if you forgot your password, which depends on the protection type. First, understand the Excel protection types:
Password to Modify/Read: If you only want to protect your sheet from being copied and modified, then you can lock your file with basic protection type.
Password to Open: It’s a strong encryption that locks your file with AES, which means you can’t open your Excel file without a password.
We can remove Password to modify/read the protection type using manual techniques. But the password to Open protection type is very strong, so you have to use a professional solution for it.
How to Unprotect Excel Sheet if you Forgot your Password?
We will use Google Sheets, VBA Code, and modifying file extension techniques to unprotect Excel file without a password. For strong encryption, go for the automatic solution:
Method 1: Using Google Sheets
- First, add your locked file to “Google Drive” using the “Import” button.
- Now open your uploaded file in Google Sheets.
- If it opens, then head to the File tab.
- Choose the Download >> XLSX Options.
- Now your changes will save without a password.
Method 2: Modify File Extension (ZIP)
- Locate your encrypted Excel files.
- Right click >> choose Rename and change the file extension from .xlsx to .zip.
- Next, you have to unzip this file by right click options.
- Now, open the folder and head to the XL >> Worksheets options.
- If you find XML files, then find this word “<sheetProtection>” using Ctrl + F keys.
- And remove this tag from the file and save it.
- Finally, again change the extension from .zip to .xlsx format.
Method 3: Open Password-Protected Excel File using VBA Editor
If you have good knowledge about coding and the VBA editor, then go for this technique to unprotect Excel sheet if you forgot your password.
- Open your locked file.
- And use “Alt + F11” to open VBA Editor.
- Now copy-paste the provided code:
- Hit on the “Alt + F5” keys to run the code.
- Maybe a prompt will open with a password.
Why are Manual Methods Not the Best Choice?
- These methods don’t remove the protection type; it just allows you to edit and modify data.
- These manual techniques don’t support strongly encrypted Excel files.
- One wrong step can lose your complete data.
- Automatic solution is a possible way to find the unknown password of Excel sheet.
Unprotect Excel Sheet without a Password Automatically
Download the suggested solution on your system, and just upload your protected Excel file to unprotect Excel sheet if you forgot your password with the correct password. This software supports two different file extensions of Excel, like XLSX and XLS. One of the best parts is it doesn’t change the original file data and keeps the originality. Let’s understand the working steps and advantages of this solution.
How to Remove Password Protection from Excel File?
- Download and install the software and start it.
- Now, locate the path of your Excel file using the Browse button to add your locked file.
- Choose Recovery Mode for an unknown or partially known password.
- Provide related information about the password for a faster recovery process.
- After all the details, choose the Recover button to open password-protected Excel file.
- Now the software will show the recovery attempts as a progress bar on the screen.
- After successful recovery, you will see the correct password to unlock your Excel file.
Why is this Software Over Manual Techniques?
It’s the first choice of many experts and users, because of amazing and phenomenal features like:
- This is the only tool that can find an unknown password with 100% surety and accuracy using the Brute Force option.
- Also, it can find the partially known password faster than the unknown password recovery process.
- It supports two types of file extensions, such as XLSX and XLS.
- This software works with all types of characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numeric numbers, special characters (.), space, and tabs.
- Microsoft Excel installation is required on your machine for a faster process to unprotect the Excel sheet if you forgot your password.
Final Comment
This blog has resolved the highly searched query on how to unprotect Excel sheet if you forgot your password using Google Sheets, VBA Code, and by changing the file extension. If your file is encrypted with a password to modify and open, then use manual techniques. And if your file is locked with strong encryption, then use the automatic solution to open password-protected Excel file. It helps to find unknown or partially known passwords easily. You can contact us through live chat support for any help.