How to Open Password Protected Excel File without Password?
Do you have a password-protected Excel file and you are unable to recall the password, then no need to worry. This write-up is going to explain the best and safest methods to open password protected Excel file using VBA Script, by changing file extensions, recovering from backup (for OneDrive and Google Drive), and using an automatic solution to unlock a locked Excel file.
Microsoft Excel is one of the best and most powerful tools to manage and handle data. Many professionals and experts protect their Excel files to secure your crucial and sensitive information. But it’s a frustrating situation when your file is locked and you have forgot Excel sheet password. And without a password, you can’t access the Excel file data.
Don’t worry, in this guide, we’ll discuss how to open a password protected Excel file without a password using legitimate, safe, and ethical ways to regain access, different types of password protection in Excel, and several secure technical solutions.
Quick Suggestion to Open Password Protected Excel File
Download the SysTools Excel Password Recovery Tool to find the forgotten password of your XLSX and XLS format. This is the safest and secure way to find the exact password to open password-protected Excel file without a password. This software doesn’t break and remove the password of your file; it just guesses the password using some advanced and powerful modes.
It gives you a 100% guarantee that it will find the exact password. For better knowledge, you can download the free demo version to find the first 2 characters of your password.
Understanding Excel Protection Types
Microsoft Excel uses different types of protection mechanisms, so before attempting, identify which type applies:
- Open Password File Encryption: It’s a strong encryption (AES in modern Excel), which prevents opening the workbook. If you lost the password, then recovery is not possible manually.
- Modify Password: This protection allows the user to open the file in read mode only.
- Protection for Workbook Structure/Worksheet Protection: It prevents the editing of the structure or cells, but users can open the file. It’s a lighter protection and sometimes can be removed without breaking the encryption.
- Shared Workbook/Read-Only Recommended/Protected View: It is not a proper encryption; these are just settings that can be done by changing file properties or trust settings.
Unlock Excel File without Password – Is It Legal?
Before trying to open password protected Excel file without a password, one question comes to mind: Can I unlock Excel file without a password, or is it legal to bypass the Excel password lock without having the document credentials? And the answer depends on ownership and intent.
If the Excel file belongs to you, which means you have created it, then using recovery methods and professional solutions is completely legal. Because you are just trying to regain access to your own data.
However, if you are trying to open password protected Excel file without password, which file you don’t own, like a colleague’s confidential document, a client’s data file, then it will be considered as unauthorized access, which comes under illegal and cyber laws.
IN SHORT, unlocking your own Excel file is legal, but unlocking someone else’s file without permission is illegal.
How to Open Locked Excel File without Password?
Unlocking the locked Excel file without a password is not an easy task. Because it contains a high risk of corruption and data loss situations as well. So, choose the method and steps carefully. All methods are mentioned below one by one:
- Using VBA Script (for XLS Files)
- Recover from Backup or Previous Versions
- Modifying the File Extension
- Open Protected Excel File Automatically
Method 1: Using VBA Script (for XLS Files)
This technique will work with only older formats of Excel XLS using VBA code. Steps are mentioned below to open password protected Excel file without password:
- Open a new Excel workbook.
- Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
- Choose the Insert >> Module option.
- Use the provided code:
Sub PasswordBreaker()
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
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 n = 32 To 126
ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(n)
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox “Password is ” & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub - Run the macro using F5.
- A box will appear with a possible password.
Important Note: This method only works with older version .xls files, not for the .xlsx format, which is protected with modern AES encryption.
Method 2: Recover from Backup or Previous Versions
If your Excel file is stored in OneDrive or Google Drive, then you might recover a non-protected file.
- OneDrive: Right click and then Version History → Restore.
- Google Drive: Right-click and choose the Manage Versions → Download older versions.
Important Note: This method doesn’t always work, but yes, we can use it as a safe first step.
Method 3: Modifying the File Extension
If you are using Microsoft Excel 2010 and older versions, then this method might work to open password protected Excel file without password. Follow the mentioned steps:
- Firstly, create a backup of your Excel files.
- Now, rename the extension from .xlsx to .zip and save your file.
- After that, unzip the zipped file by right-clicking on it.
- Open the unzipped folder.
- Find the .xml file and open it.
- Use Ctrl + F and find the “SheetProtection”.
- After finding the word, remove it from the file.
- And save the file again to open password protected Excel file.
- After saving the file, change the file extension again from .zip to .xls or .csv.
Limitations:
- This method contains a high risk of corruption, so be careful.
- If your Excel file is protected with open protection, then this method will not work.
- Also, you will lose the data integrity.
Method 4: Open Password Protected Excel File without Password Automatically
The mentioned software will help you to easily create a password. It provides different types of features and filters, which make the software more powerful and safer. It gives a 100% guarantee of successful and accurate recovery. This software supports both XLSX and XLS formats to open password protected Excel file without password. Download the free edition for a better understanding. Working steps and features are explained below:
Why Automatic Solution Over Manual Method?
- Brute Force: This software provides dual modes to access passwords; this brute force helps to find an unknown password of Excel file. With this mode, the tool will match all the possible combinations until it guesses the right password.
- Partial Known Password: This is another mode to find a partial known password; this means you have to provide known information about the password.
- 12-Character Password: It can guess a maximum 12 characters of passwords easily.
- Prefix and Suffix: If you know the password, then providing the prefix and suffix means starting and ending the password.
- Select Charset: If you know what kind of charsets your password contains, then you can provide the information by checking the boxes.
- Support All Types: This software can find and support all types of passwords, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, special characters, etc.
Steps to Unlock Encrypted Excel File
- Download and start the given software.
- Add your protected Excel file to open password protected Excel file.
- Select the desired recovery mode.
- Choose the advanced settings for better information.
- Select the Recover button to start the process.
- And your password will show on the screen.
Final Comment
If you are also someone who lost or forgot the password of file, then don’t worry. Here we have explained how to open password protected Excel file without a password using VBA code, recover from backup, by changing file extensions from .xlsx to .zip, and an automatic solution which is safer than all manual methods. As experts, we will suggest the software because the manual method contains many drawbacks and limitations, while the software provides a 100% guarantee for accurate password recovery. For more information, contact us through live chat support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: Can online tools safely unlock password-protected Excel files?
Ans: No, using online tools to open password protected Excel file without a password is not a safe and secure method. Uploading confidential data to an unknown online tool is not a safe option. Because they can breach your data without your permission.
Q 2: What encryption method does Excel use for password protection?
Ans: Modern Excel versions 2010 and later versions use AES 128-bit or AES 256-bit encryption combined with SHA-1 hashing.
Q 3: How long does it take to recover an Excel password?
Ans: Depends on which mode you have chosen. If you choose Brute Force, then the solution will take a long time to guess the unknown password. And if you choose the Mask Attack, then it will take less time to recover a partially known passcode.
Q 4: Does the Tool support all Excel versions?
Ans: This software is compatible with Microsoft Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003, including XLSX and XLS format.
Q 5: Can I remove both “open password” and “modify password” protections using this tool?
Ans: Yes, the mentioned solution can remove all types of passwords from Excel files.