5 Simple Ways to Remove Excel Sheet Protection

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you urgently needed to modify data in an Excel sheet only to realize it was password protected? While Microsoft Excel provides protection options to ensure data security, there are legitimate reasons why one might need to bypass this protection, such as needing to edit or audit information without the password. Here, we explore 5 simple ways to remove Excel sheet protection, helping you regain access to your data when the need arises.

Method 1: Using The Default Password

Microsoft Excel uses a default password “VelvetSweatshop” for files created with early versions. Here’s how you can try this method:

• Open the protected Excel workbook.
• Go to the Review tab.
• Select “Unprotect Sheet”. If it’s a workbook, select “Unprotect Workbook”.
• Enter the default password VelvetSweatshop in the Password box.

🔑 Note: This method often works for files created with older versions of Excel. Newer versions might not respond to this password, so consider other methods if this doesn’t work.

Method 2: VBA Macro to Unprotect

If the default password fails, VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) can be your next step:

Sub PasswordBreaker()
    Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
    Dim l As Integer
    Dim m As Integer
    Dim n As Integer
    Dim strTry As String
    strTry = “”
    For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
        For l = 32 To 126: For m = 32 To 126: For n = 32 To 126
            strTry = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(n)
            If UCase(strTry) = “EXCELOFFICE” Then
                MsgBox “Password Cracked: ” & strTry
                Exit Sub
            End If
        Next: Next: Next
    Next: Next: Next
End Sub

• Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
• Go to Insert > Module.
• Paste the above code into the new module.
• Press F5 to run the macro.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Software

There are several tools available that can remove Excel protection. Here are some reputable options:

• PassFab for Excel: Known for its effectiveness in removing password protection.
• Kutools for Excel: Offers many utilities including protection removal.

When using third-party software, ensure it’s from a reputable source to avoid security risks.

Method 4: Re-saving the File

If the Excel file is not too heavily protected, you might bypass protection by re-saving:

• Open Excel.
• Create a new workbook.
• Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > File Block Settings.
• Uncheck all the boxes under “File Block Settings”.
• Try to open your protected file again. If it opens without prompting for a password, save it as a new file.

📂 Note: This method can sometimes trigger Excel to ignore certain protection flags. However, it might not work for all protection settings.

Method 5: Editing Excel Registry

Another advanced technique involves modifying Excel settings through the Windows Registry:

• Open the Run command by pressing Win + R.
• Type “regedit” and press Enter.
• Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel\Security.
• Create a new DWORD Value named “Remove Password Protection” with a value of 1.
• Close and re-open Excel. If the protection is removed, remember to reset this registry setting afterward.

In sum, dealing with Excel sheet protection can range from using default passwords to employing more complex methods like VBA macros or registry edits. Each method has its caveats and efficacy depends on the Excel version, protection type, and how it was applied. Before attempting any of these methods, ensure you have legitimate access rights to the document. By following these techniques, you can address the common issue of accessing or editing locked Excel sheets when the password is unavailable.

Is it legal to remove Excel sheet protection?

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Removing Excel sheet protection without permission is generally illegal. This activity should only be undertaken if you have legitimate rights to access the document.

Will removing protection with these methods affect the data?

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These methods aim to remove protection without altering data. However, there’s always a risk involved, so ensure you have backups.

What should I do if none of these methods work?

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If no method works, the protection might be too advanced, or you might need to seek professional help or contact the document owner for the password.