5 Ways to Crack Protected Excel Sheets Easily

Password-protected Excel sheets can be a significant hurdle when you need access to crucial data but have lost or forgotten the password. While the ethical considerations of accessing protected files must be considered, this article explores five practical methods to crack or unlock password-protected Excel sheets. It's important to emphasize that these methods should be used legally, for instance, when you've forgotten your own password or have explicit permission to access the data. Here's how you can regain control over your locked Excel files:

Method 1: Using VBA Macro

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) offers a workaround to bypass password protection in Excel. Here are the steps:

1. Open a new Excel workbook.
2. Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
3. Under the "Insert" menu, select "Module" to create a new module.
4. Paste the following VBA code into the module window:

Sub PasswordBreaker()
    Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
    Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer
    Dim password As String, char1 As String, char2 As String, char3 As String, char4 As String, char5 As String, char6 As String
    Dim WordBreaker As String

    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
                            WordBreaker = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1)
                            ActiveSheet.Unprotect WordBreaker
                            If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
                                MsgBox "Password is " & WordBreaker
                                Exit Sub
                            End If
                        Next
                    Next
                Next
            Next
        Next
    Next
End Sub

5. Close the VBA editor and return to Excel.
6. Press Alt + F8 to open the macro dialog box, select "PasswordBreaker" and click "Run".

This macro attempts every possible 6-character password using letters 'A' and 'B'. Once successful, it will display the password. However, this approach can be time-consuming.

Method 2: ZIP File Extraction

By changing the file extension of the Excel workbook from .xlsx to .zip, you can access the underlying XML files, which might reveal the password. Here’s how:

1. Rename the .xlsx file to .zip.
2. Extract the ZIP file.
3. Navigate to XL > worksheets > _rels > worksheet1.xml.rels
4. Edit the XML file to remove or modify the relationship id associated with the password protection.
5. Reassemble the ZIP file, then rename it back to .xlsx.

Method 3: Third-Party Software

When direct methods fail, specialized tools can help:

• Excel Password Recovery Tool: Software designed to crack passwords.
• Excel Password Remover: Removes the password protection.

⚠️ Note: Be cautious when downloading and using third-party software to ensure no malicious code is included.

Method 4: Password Recovery Attacks

Password recovery involves:

• Dictionary Attack: Using pre-defined lists of common passwords.
• Brute-force Attack: Trying all possible combinations.
• Guessing: If you have some idea of the password.

This can be time-consuming and is not always practical for long, complex passwords.

Method 5: Using Advanced Features in Excel

Excel offers features like “Recover Password” in some versions:

• If you've used the password, and Excel remembers it, you might be able to recover it through this feature.

🛑 Note: This method might not work if the password was set by someone else or if it's been too long since you've last used it.

In summary, from using VBA to cracking passwords via macro, to manipulating file structures, employing software solutions, launching password recovery attacks, to utilizing lesser-known Excel features, there are several avenues to regain access to your password-protected sheets. Remember, these methods should be employed ethically and with permission when needed.

Is it legal to crack Excel passwords?

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No, cracking Excel passwords is illegal if you do not have permission or if the file does not belong to you. However, if you’ve forgotten the password to your own file, using these methods might be justified.

Can I prevent others from cracking my Excel password?

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You can use strong, complex passwords and consider using encryption or file-level protection in addition to workbook protection to make it more difficult.

What to do if none of these methods work?

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Consider contacting the file owner for the password, or if it’s your file, accept that the data might be inaccessible without the correct password.

Is there a risk of data corruption?

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There is always a risk when you’re modifying file structure or using third-party software. Make sure to keep backups before attempting to crack or unlock files.

What are the ethical considerations?

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The ethical use of these methods involves respecting privacy and intellectual property rights. Only attempt to bypass protection when you have the right to access the content or when recovering your own data.