5 Ways to Crack a Protected Excel Sheet

If you find yourself working with an Excel spreadsheet and need to access the protected areas without the password, there are several techniques you can try to crack a protected Excel sheet. Let's delve into five effective methods:

Method 1: VBA Macro to Unprotect Sheet

• Open the workbook with the protected sheet in Microsoft Excel.
• Press ALT + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor (VBE).
• Insert a new module by clicking Insert > Module.
• Paste the following VBA code:

Sub PasswordBreaker()
   ‘Breaks worksheet password protection.
   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
   Dim i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 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 i4 = 65 To 66
            For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 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(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & 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(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
                   Exit Sub
                End If
            Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
        Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
    End Sub

• Run the macro by pressing F5.
• The macro will attempt all possible combinations to unlock the sheet.

⚠️ Note: Use this method responsibly as circumventing password protection might be against organizational or legal policies.

Method 2: Edit the XML Code

• Change the file extension of your Excel file from .xlsx to .zip.
• Open the zip file with any zip extractor or compression tool.
• Navigate to xl\worksheets and locate the file corresponding to your protected sheet.
• Open this file in a text editor.
• Search for the tag and remove the entire line or modify the attribute values to disable protection.
• Save the changes, close the text editor, and rename the zip file back to .xlsx.

⚠️ Note: Modifying file contents directly can corrupt the workbook if not done carefully.

Method 3: Use Third-Party Software

• There are several third-party tools available online like Excel Password Recovery Master or PassFab for Excel which can recover or remove Excel sheet passwords.
• Download and install the software, open your Excel file in the tool, and follow the prompts to remove the password.

Method 4: Re-Save the Workbook

• Sometimes, opening the Excel file with a different version of Excel or in Google Sheets can bypass the protection.
• Open the file in Google Sheets or an older version of Excel.
• Save the file again from this different application, which might remove the password.

🚨 Note: This method may not work for highly secured workbooks.

Method 5: Default Passwords

• Many companies or users use common default passwords for protection. Trying default or simple passwords might unlock your sheet.
• Commonly used passwords include “password”, “admin”, or “1234”.
• If you know the password pattern used by the creator, try those combinations.

In summary, there are multiple ways to crack or bypass a protected Excel sheet, ranging from using VBA macros to editing XML files or employing third-party software. Each method has its pros and cons, and ethical considerations should always be at the forefront when attempting to access restricted data. Remember, if you're not authorized to access this information, seeking permission or exploring legal alternatives is always the best course of action.

Is it legal to crack a protected Excel sheet?

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Legality depends on local laws and the nature of the data. Cracking a sheet without permission can be considered illegal if it involves accessing unauthorized information.

Will using these methods damage my Excel file?

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Some methods like XML editing or forceful unlocking might corrupt the file if not done correctly. Always back up your file before attempting any of these methods.

Are there any risks to my computer when using third-party software?

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Yes, downloading software from unreliable sources can expose your computer to malware or phishing attacks. Always use trusted and reputable sources for software.