3 Ways to Unlock Protected Excel Sheet Forgot Password

In the modern business landscape, Microsoft Excel has become indispensable for data analysis, reporting, and various operational tasks. Excel offers the functionality to protect sheets with a password to safeguard sensitive information. However, users often find themselves in a situation where they've forgotten the password to their protected Excel sheet. This can halt work processes and cause significant inconvenience. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into three secure and effective ways to unlock a protected Excel sheet when the password is forgotten.

Method 1: Using VBA Code

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is a programming language that ships with Excel. Here’s how you can use VBA to unlock your protected sheet:

1. Open Excel: Start with launching Microsoft Excel and opening the workbook with the protected sheet.
2. Open VBA Editor: Press Alt + F11 or navigate through Developer tab > Visual Basic to open the VBA editor.
3. Insert a Module: In the VBA editor, insert a new module by right-clicking any of your VBA Project items in the Project Explorer, selecting ‘Insert’, and then ‘Module’.
4. Paste VBA Code: Copy and paste the following VBA code into the module:

   
   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 = 32 To 126: For m = 32 To 126: For i1 = 32 To 126
       For i2 = 32 To 126: For i3 = 32 To 126: For i4 = 32 To 126
       For i5 = 32 To 126: For i6 = 32 To 126: For n = 32 To 126
           If Len(ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets(1).CodeName) > 0 Then
               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 found!” & vbNewLine & “The 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
           End If
       Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
   End Sub
   
   

5. Run the Macro: Run the macro by selecting ‘PasswordBreaker’ from the list of macros in the VBA editor and clicking ‘Run’ or press F5.

⚠️ Note: This method works for Excel sheets protected with passwords of fewer than 15 characters. For longer passwords, the processing time might be excessive.

Method 2: Utilizing Third-Party Software

Specialized software exists to recover or remove Excel passwords. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Choose a Reputable Tool: Look for tools like PassFab for Excel, Excel Password Recovery Master, or Excel Unlocker, known for their reliability and security features.
2. Download and Install: Download the software from the developer’s official site and install it.
3. Open the File: Launch the software and open your protected Excel file within the program.
4. Select Recovery Mode: Choose an appropriate mode like ‘Instant Unlock’ if available, or proceed with ‘Dictionary Attack’ or ‘Brute-Force Attack’ for password recovery.
5. Process and Unlock: Follow the software’s instructions to process and unlock your sheet.

Remember, third-party tools may not guarantee full recovery, especially with highly complex or long passwords, but they can be effective for standard protection levels.

Method 3: Manual Inspection (for Sheets Protected With No Password)

If the sheet is merely locked without a password:

1. Check for Sheet Protection: Go to the Review tab and select ‘Unprotect Sheet’. If no password prompt appears, the sheet might not require a password.
2. Use VBA to Inspect: If you suspect a password exists, you can still attempt VBA methods as explained earlier to test for a protection password.
3. Unlock Manually: With no password set, you can manually unlock by selecting ‘Allow Users to Edit Ranges’ and set your editing permissions.

This method is most straightforward for sheets protected without a password, enhancing productivity by reducing the need for external tools or macros.

In closing, forgetting the password to a protected Excel sheet doesn't necessarily mean permanent loss of access. Utilizing VBA code provides a straightforward solution for short passwords, third-party software offers capabilities for more complex scenarios, and manual inspection works for no-password protections. Each method has its unique advantages and limitations, so choose the one that best fits your needs. Understanding these options equips you to handle such situations efficiently, ensuring your workflow remains uninterrupted and your data remains secure.

Can I recover an Excel sheet if I’ve lost the password completely?

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In cases where you’ve completely lost or forgotten the password, third-party recovery software might be your only option. These tools use advanced algorithms to attempt password recovery. However, success isn’t guaranteed, especially for highly secure passwords.

Is it legal to use third-party software to unlock a protected Excel sheet?

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Using third-party software to unlock your own document when you’ve forgotten the password is generally acceptable. However, using such tools to access files that don’t belong to you can raise legal concerns. Always ensure you have the right to access the data.

Can the VBA method damage my Excel file?

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The VBA method for breaking passwords does not harm the Excel file. It only attempts to unlock the sheet without altering its contents. However, if the macro runs for a long time for longer passwords, it might slow down your system.

How can I prevent needing to unlock a sheet in the future?

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Always store or document your passwords securely. Use a password manager or write down passwords in a safe place. Alternatively, consider not using passwords for less critical documents or use protection that doesn’t require a password.

Are there any risks to data integrity when unlocking sheets?

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The methods described here, especially VBA and third-party software, are designed to maintain the integrity of your data. However, if software is not reputable, there’s always a risk of data corruption or malicious code. Choose trusted software and always have a backup of your Excel file.