5 Proven Ways to Unprotect Excel Sheets Instantly

Excel, one of the most widely used tools for data analysis and management, often requires users to protect their sheets from unauthorized changes. While this feature is crucial for security, there are times when you might need to unprotect an Excel sheet to make necessary edits or retrieve forgotten passwords. This blog post will guide you through five proven methods to unprotect Excel sheets instantly, catering to different levels of Excel proficiency.

Method 1: Using VBA Code

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is Excel’s programming language that can automate tasks. Here’s how you can use VBA to remove sheet protection:

1. Open your Excel workbook.
2. Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
3. Go to Insert > Module to create a new module.
4. Copy and paste the following code:

Sub PasswordBreaker()
   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 “One usable 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

5. Close the VBA editor and go back to your worksheet.
6. Press Alt + F8, select PasswordBreaker, and run the macro. It will attempt all possible combinations to unprotect the sheet.

💡 Note: This method can be slow due to the vast number of combinations, especially for complex passwords.

Method 2: Password Cracking Software

For those who aren’t comfortable with coding or need a faster solution, there are several password recovery tools available:

• iSumsoft Excel Password Refixer - Known for its rapid password cracking capabilities.
• PassFab for Excel - Offers advanced recovery methods for forgotten Excel passwords.
• Excel Password Recovery Lastic - Provides an easy-to-use interface to remove password protection.

Steps to Use Recovery Software:

1. Download and install your chosen software.
2. Open the software and select the Excel file you want to unprotect.
3. Choose the recovery method (like dictionary, brute-force, or mask attack).
4. Start the recovery process and wait for results.

These tools work by trying combinations at a much faster rate than VBA code, making them more efficient for complex passwords.

Method 3: Google Sheets Conversion

An alternative method that doesn’t require coding or software involves exporting to Google Sheets:

1. Upload your Excel file to Google Drive.
2. Open the file with Google Sheets.
3. Save a new copy, which will be unprotected.
4. Download the new copy back as an Excel file.

This method bypasses the protection by converting the file format, which doesn't carry over the protection settings from Excel.

Method 4: Hex Editor

Using a hex editor to modify the Excel file directly can unprotect sheets:

1. Create a copy of your Excel file to avoid data loss.
2. Open the copy with a hex editor (e.g., HxD).
3. Search for the string "DPB".
4. Replace "DPB" with "DPx" if found, which typically unprotects all sheets in the workbook.
5. Save the file and open it in Excel.

Method 5: Unprotect Using Macro Recorder

Another straightforward method involves recording and editing a macro:

1. Open Excel and press Alt + T + M + R to start recording a macro.
2. Go through the steps of unprotecting a sheet with a known password.
3. Stop recording by pressing Alt + T + M + R again.
4. Open the VBA editor (Alt + F11).
5. Locate the recorded macro, edit the password to any dummy value, and run it on the protected sheet.

This technique works by modifying the macro to attempt unlocking with a password, often bypassing the actual password check.

⚠️ Note: These methods might not be foolproof or safe for use in all scenarios. Always ensure you have legal rights to access protected content.

These five methods provide a range of solutions for users looking to unprotect Excel sheets, from coding with VBA to using specialized software or even changing file formats. It's important to use these techniques responsibly and in compliance with data privacy laws.

Is it legal to unprotect Excel sheets?

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The legality of unprotecting Excel sheets depends on the context. If you are the owner or have permission, it’s usually legal. However, unauthorized access to protected data can be illegal. Always ensure you have the legal right before attempting to bypass protections.

Will these methods work on all versions of Excel?

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Most of these methods are designed for Office 2007 onwards, but there can be variations in effectiveness across different versions. The VBA method is likely to work for all recent versions, while hex editor techniques might depend on the file format compatibility.

What are the risks of using these unprotect methods?

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Risks include:

• Potential file corruption
• Loss of data if not done correctly
• Legal repercussions for unauthorized access
• Disruption of linked data or formulas