5 Ways to Unprotect Excel Sheet Easily

When working with Excel spreadsheets, you might encounter documents that are password-protected for security or to restrict edits. However, there are legitimate reasons to access or modify these files, such as recovering lost passwords, gaining access to data, or needing to make changes for collaborative work. Here, we will explore five ways to unprotect an Excel sheet easily, ensuring you can regain control over your spreadsheets.

Method 1: Using VBA Code

VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) offers a straightforward method to unprotect Excel sheets without needing the original password. This method is particularly useful for sheets where simple password protection has been applied:

• Open your Excel workbook.
• Press ALT + F11 to open the VBA Editor.
• Navigate to 'Insert' > 'Module' to add a new module.
• Paste the following VBA code:

  Sub PasswordBreaker()
  Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
  Dim l As Integer, m As Integer
  Dim strPassword As String
  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
  strPassword = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m)
  On Error Resume Next
  ActiveSheet.Unprotect strPassword
  If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
  MsgBox "Password is " & strPassword
  Exit Sub
  End If
  Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
  MsgBox "Failed to Break the Password!"
  End Sub
  

• Run the macro by pressing F5 or clicking 'Run' in the toolbar.

⚠️ Note: This method might not work on sheets with advanced protection features. Please ensure you have legitimate rights to the data before proceeding.

Method 2: Using Online Services

Online services offer tools to unprotect Excel sheets by uploading your file and receiving an unprotected version:

• Visit a reliable online Excel password remover service.
• Upload your password-protected Excel file.
• Wait for the service to process your file.
• Download the unprotected file.

⚠️ Note: Be cautious when using online services. Ensure you choose reputable services to avoid data breaches or legal issues.

Method 3: Using Excel Password Recovery Software

These software solutions provide powerful tools to recover or remove Excel passwords:

• Download and install the software of your choice.
• Launch the software and follow the prompts to import your Excel file.
• Initiate the password recovery or removal process.
• Save the unprotected Excel sheet once the process is complete.

Method 4: Zip File Exploitation

This method involves unzipping the Excel file to modify its XML content to bypass protection:

• Rename the .xlsx file to .zip.
• Extract the zip to view its contents.
• Navigate to /xl/worksheets/ and open the relevant .xml file in a text editor.
• Locate and delete the tags.
• Save the changes, rezip the folder, and rename it back to .xlsx.

⚠️ Note: This method works on files protected with older versions of Excel or if the protection was not advanced. It's not foolproof for modern Excel sheets.

Method 5: Excel Internal Hack

Here’s a lesser-known method to unprotect an Excel sheet using Excel itself:

• Make a copy of your Excel file.
• Open the file in Excel.
• Go to ‘File’ > ‘Save As’ and choose ‘XLS’ as the file format.
• Close and reopen the .XLS file.
• In the ‘Review’ tab, try to ‘Unprotect Sheet’ even if you don’t know the password. This often works for sheets with simple protection.

⚠️ Note: This method is experimental and might not work on all spreadsheets due to the differences in how Excel applies protection in different versions.

Accessing an Excel sheet that's been protected doesn't have to be an impossible task. The methods outlined above provide different approaches to unprotect an Excel sheet, each with its own caveats and considerations. Remember, ethical practices should guide your decision to access protected documents; always ensure you have the right or authority to do so. In cases where you're the sheet owner or have legitimate access, these techniques can be a lifesaver for productivity and data management.

Is it legal to unprotect an Excel sheet?

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It is legal to unprotect an Excel sheet if you own the document or have legitimate access rights. Unauthorized removal of protection, especially to gain access to data you’re not authorized to see, can be illegal and unethical.

What if the Excel file has advanced protection?

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Advanced protection might not be removable using the methods listed here. In such cases, consulting with the file creator or employing specialized decryption software might be necessary.

Can I use these methods on all versions of Excel?

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The methods work best on files from Excel 2007 to 2019, with some methods being less effective on newer versions due to changes in protection algorithms.