3 Clever Ways to Crack Excel Sheet Passwords

Microsoft Excel has become an indispensable tool for individuals and businesses alike for organizing, analyzing, and storing data. With such sensitive information often at stake, Excel provides robust security measures, one of which includes the ability to password-protect your spreadsheets. However, there are legitimate reasons to access password-protected Excel files, such as retrieving lost data or re-auditing the information without the password. In this post, we will explore three clever, yet ethical, methods to crack Excel sheet passwords. Please note that these techniques should be used responsibly and with proper authorization.

Method 1: Using VBA to Bypass Excel Passwords

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) can sometimes bypass Excel’s password protection through a clever coding technique. Here's how you can do it:

• Open Excel: Launch Microsoft Excel and create a new workbook.
• Insert VBA Code: Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor. From the Insert menu, choose Module and paste the following VBA code:

Sub PasswordBreaker()
   Dim xStr As String
   Dim i As Long
   Dim j As Long
   Dim m As Long
   Dim n As Long

   xStr = "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789!@#$%^&*()_+"

   With Sheet1
       .Unprotect "Test"

       For i = 1 To 39
           If .ProtectContents = False Then
               MsgBox "Password is " & Mid(xStr, n, 1)
               Exit Sub
           End If
       Next i

       For i = 1 To Len(xStr) - 1
           For j = 1 To Len(xStr) - 1
               .Protect Password := Mid(xStr, i, 1) & Mid(xStr, j, 1)
               .Unprotect Mid(xStr, i, 1) & Mid(xStr, j, 1)
               If .ProtectContents = False Then
                   MsgBox "Password is " & Mid(xStr, i, 1) & Mid(xStr, j, 1)
                   Exit Sub
               End If
           Next j
       Next i

   End With

End Sub

  

• Run the Macro: Click Run to execute the macro. Excel will attempt to break the password.

⚠️ Note: This method may not work on Excel sheets with complex passwords or newer versions of Excel that have enhanced password protection.

Method 2: Using Password Recovery Software

If VBA does not succeed or is not an option, you might consider using specialized software designed to recover Excel passwords. Here's what to do:

• Choose a Reliable Software: Search for password recovery tools like Passper for Excel, iSumsoft Excel Password Refixer, or Excel Password Recovery.
• Download and Install: Choose a tool, download it from the official site, and follow the installation steps.
• Run the Software: Open the application and navigate to the option to recover the password for an Excel file.
• Load Your File: Select or drag and drop the password-protected Excel file into the software.
• Choose Recovery Method: These tools typically offer several methods to crack the password, including brute-force, dictionary attacks, or smart recovery methods. Choose the method best suited for your situation.
• Initiate Recovery: Start the recovery process. Note that depending on the complexity of the password and the method, recovery might take some time.

⚠️ Note: Make sure the software you use is legitimate and does not infringe on Microsoft Excel’s copyright or user agreement.

Method 3: Using Excel’s Built-in Features

Sometimes, Excel's own features can inadvertently reveal passwords. Here are two built-in techniques:

• File Sharing: If the password-protected file has been shared or edited via cloud services like OneDrive or SharePoint, sometimes the file’s history or properties can show previously entered passwords.
• Metadata: For Excel files saved in older formats like .xls, you might find information or even parts of the password in the file’s metadata through online tools like Metadata2Go.

Here is a concise comparison of these methods:

To wrap up, there are several ways to retrieve data from or access password-protected Excel spreadsheets, ranging from simple VBA scripts to sophisticated recovery software. Ethical considerations, legal compliance, and software licenses must always be taken into account. Remember, these techniques should only be used with explicit permission or for legitimate purposes.

Is it legal to crack Excel passwords?

+

Cracking passwords without permission or authorization might be illegal in many jurisdictions. Always ensure you have the right to access the file.

What should I do if I’ve forgotten the password to an important Excel file?

+

Try to remember if you saved the password anywhere else, like in a password manager. If not, contact the person who might have set the password or use the methods described above responsibly.

Can any of these methods guarantee password recovery?

+

None of these methods can guarantee success due to password strength and encryption levels, but they can increase your chances of recovery.