Open a Password Protected Excel File

Excel files can be password-protected in multiple ways. if the file requires a password to even open it, you'll have to use a password recovery program to try to crack the password. If the Excel file has a sheet or its entire structure locked so that you can't make edits, you can make a few quick changes to the file itself and completely remove the password protection.

Steps

Unlocking the File

  1. Download a password cracking tool. If the Excel file requires a password to open it, the only way to get through is by using a password recovery program that will attempt to brute-force the password. If the password is complex and the file is Excel 2007 or newer, this could take weeks or months to crack.[1] Nearly all password crackers will cost you some money. You will get better performance from a password cracker if you have a graphics card installed, as this will increase the available processing power. Popular programs include:
    • Accent Excel Password Recovery
    • Rixler Excel Password Recovery Master
    • Excel Key
  2. Load the Excel file in the password cracker program. The program will usually automatically detect that it has a password, and will display the type of encryption it is using.
  3. Start the password attack. Once you've loaded the program, you can start trying to crack the password. Some programs may give you an option as to the type of attack you want to perform, but you can usually leave this at the default settings.
  4. Wait for the password recovery program to retrieve the password. Depending on the strength of the password and the speed of your computer, this could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few months. The estimated time remaining will be displayed in the window.

Unlocking a Worksheet/Workbook

  1. Find the Excel file on your computer. If the Excel file has a worksheet or workbook that is protected, you can edit the file to get rid of the password. This only works for locked sheets and books. You'll still have to be able to open the file. You cannot unlock a password-protected file using this method.
    • This method is for when the structure of the workbook or worksheet has been locked, but you want to make edits to it.
  2. Enable file extensions (if they aren't already). You should see an ".xlsx" extension for the file. If you don't see any extensions, enable them in the View tab of the Explorer window by checking the "File name extensions" box.
  3. Change the "xlsx" extension to "zip". You will be warned by Windows that the file may become unusable. Confirm that you want to proceed.
  4. Right-click the ZIP file and select "Extract All". This will create a new folder in your current location with the same name as the Excel file.
  5. Open the "xl" folder and then the "worksheets" folder. This will display all of the sheets in the document. Each sheet will be its own file, such as "sheet1.xml".
  6. Right-click on the locked worksheet and select "Edit". This will open the XML information for the locked worksheet in Notepad.
    • If you're trying to unlock the entire workbook for editing, return to the "xl" folder and edit the "workbook.xml" file instead. The rest of the process is the same.
  7. Press Ctrl+F to open the Find window and search for "sheetProtection". You'll find it with information about the algorithm used to protect the sheet or workbook.
    • If you're trying to unlock a workbook, search "workbookProtection" instead.
  8. Select everything inside of the <>. Select everything in the brackets containing the word "sheetProtection" and delete it. Save the file and close Notepad.
  9. Copy the edited worksheet or workbook file. Highlight the file you just edited and press Ctrl+C to copy it.
  10. Open the ZIP file you created earlier. Double-click it to open it instead of extracting it.
  11. Navigate to the same folder that the edited worksheet or book was in. Open the "xl" folder and then the "worksheets" folder. You should see the original worksheet file here. If you edited the workbook.xml file, you should find it in the "xl" folder.
  12. Paste the edited file and overwrite the original. Press +Ctrl+V and opt to overwrite the original.
  13. Close the ZIP and then rename the extension back to "xlsx". This will change the ZIP file back into an Excel file.
  14. Open the file and load the sheet or workbook. You should be able to edit the sheet without entering the password.[2]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://passwordexperts.com/Choosing-Excel-Password-Recovery-Tools.htm
  2. ↑ https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/427527-how-to-open-or-remove-password-protect-excel-file?page=1
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