Unlock Excel Sheets Without Password in 2016 Easily

Losing access to your Excel spreadsheets because you forgot the password can be frustrating. However, there are several methods to unlock your Excel sheets if you've lost the password, especially for Excel 2016 versions. This comprehensive guide will walk you through multiple ways to regain access to your precious data.

Why You Might Need to Unlock Excel Sheets

Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand why you might need to unlock an Excel sheet. Here are a few common scenarios:

• You’ve inherited a password-protected Excel file without the password.
• You’ve set a password on a file and forgotten it.
• You need to collaborate with others, but they can’t access the protected sheet.

In any of these situations, unlocking the Excel sheet becomes necessary.

Method 1: Using Excel’s Built-in Features

Surprisingly, Excel 2016 offers some built-in features that can help you recover or remove a password:

Save As Function

One simple trick involves using the ‘Save As’ function:

1. Open the protected Excel file.
2. Select ‘File’ > ‘Save As’.
3. In the ‘Save As’ dialog box, select the option to save it as a new Excel Workbook (*.xlsx).
4. This creates an unprotected copy of the workbook, allowing you to open it without entering a password.

Edit Links

Here’s another trick:

1. Open the password-protected file.
2. Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
3. In the Project Explorer, select the workbook.
4. Select Insert > Module to insert a new module.
5. Paste the following code:

Sub PasswordBreaker()
    Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
    Dim l As Integer, m As Integer
    Dim s As String
    Dim password As String

For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
    For l = 32 To 126
        s = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l)
        On Error Resume Next
        ActiveSheet.Unprotect s
        If Err.Number = 0 Then
            password = s
            Exit Sub
        End If
    Next: Next: Next: Next
    MsgBox "Password: " & password
End Sub

6. Close the VBA editor and run the ‘PasswordBreaker’ macro.
7. The macro will attempt to unprotect the sheet using common password patterns.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Software

If the built-in methods fail, you can turn to specialized software to unlock Excel sheets. Here are a few reliable options:

Password Recovery Tools

Tools like PassFab for Excel or iSumsoft Excel Password Refixer can help you:

1. Download and install the software.
2. Open the software and follow the on-screen instructions to choose your locked Excel file.
3. Start the password recovery process. These tools often use brute force, dictionary attacks, or smart guesses to break the password.

Free Online Services

Several free online services can also unlock Excel sheets:

• unlock-pdfs.com
• pdfunlock.com
• websites that allow you to upload your Excel file for password removal.

🔐 Note: While these methods are convenient, always be cautious when uploading sensitive data online due to potential security risks.

Method 3: Manual Hex Editing

For those comfortable with hex editors and technical details, here’s an advanced method:

1. Create a backup of your Excel file.
2. Open the Excel file with a hex editor.
3. Search for ‘DPB’ or ‘DBB’ strings, which indicate the password-protected range.
4. Modify these strings to ‘PCW’ or similar, which represents a protected worksheet without a password.
5. Save the file and open it in Excel to check if the protection is removed.

Wrapping Up

Recovering access to your locked Excel sheets in 2016 can be accomplished through various methods. From using Excel’s own features to employing third-party tools or even manual hex editing, there are solutions to fit different levels of technical comfort. Each method comes with its own advantages and potential risks, particularly regarding data integrity and security. Always ensure you back up your files before attempting to unlock them, and keep your data private when using online services.

Is it possible to remove protection without losing data?

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Yes, most methods outlined in this guide, like using Excel’s built-in features or specialized software, aim to preserve your data while removing protection. However, always back up your data before attempting any password removal.

What if none of these methods work?

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If none of the standard methods succeed, consider reaching out to the original creator of the file for the password or using more complex decryption tools that might require professional assistance.

Can I prevent my Excel sheets from being locked accidentally?

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Yes, always ensure you save a backup without protection or use features like ‘AutoRecover’ in Excel to avoid data loss due to forgotten passwords.