Excel

How to Release Password in Excel? For Known or Unknown Passwords

We can easily release password in Excel to unprotect it if password is known to edit, open, and share workbook without entering password every time. The right technique depends on whether you know the password and what type of Excel protection is applied.

If you know the password, then Excel provides built-in options to remove it; however, password is unknown, then it can’t be removed easily. You may need a password recovery solution to unprotect Excel workbook without password.

In this write-up, we will explain what it means to release password in Excel, types of protection, different techniques, and correct solution for unknown password.

What Does It Mean to Release a Password in Excel?

Release password in Excel generally means removing protection from a locked file to open, edit, and share data files. Yes, we can remove password protection from Excel file using multiple techniques, but it depends on the applied protection. MS Excel provides different levels of security such as:

• Password to Open: Excel uses AES-256 encryption to strongly protect the Excel workbook with a password. No manual technique can bypass it.
• Password to Modify: Users can access and preview data, but can’t modify any data.
• Worksheet Protection: This protection prevents users from changing cells, formulas, or worksheet structure.
• Workbook Protection: Prevents users from modifying workbook structure such as adding, deleting, or moving sheets.

How to Release Password in Excel When You Know the Password?

If the password is known, then we have explained how to remove password from Excel workbook, worksheet and structure protection one by one:

For Workbook

1. Open locked file and enter password.
2. Go to the “File” >> “Info” tab.
3. Click “Protect Workbook”.
4. Choose “Encrypt with Password”.
5. Remove the password and choose “OK”.
6. Finally, save your file locally.

For Worksheet

If you can open Excel file but can’t edit specific cells, then your file is protected with worksheet protection.

1. Open your workbook.
2. Select your protected worksheet.
3. Go to the Review tab.
4. Choose Unprotect Sheet.
5. Enter the password and choose OK button.
6. Save your workbook.

For Structure Protection

If you cannot add, delete, move, hide, or rename worksheets, workbook structure protection may be enabled.

1. Go to the Review tab in Excel.
2. Choose Protect Workbook.
3. Provide password if required and save file.

How to Release Password in Excel (Forgotten & Lost Password)?

If the password is unknown, users can still remove password protection of Excel using VBA Code, editing XML files, Google Sheets and automated solution. These techniques depend on the protection applied.

The first three manual techniques can remove normal protection types; for Password to Open protection, use suggested automated solution.

Method 1: Using VBA Code

1. Open protected Excel file.
2. Use “Alt + F11” keys to open editor.
3. After that, select “Insert” >> “Module” option.
4. Use given code:
   

   Sub UnprotectSheet()
   Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
   Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer
   Dim password As String

   On Error Resume Next

   For i = 65 To 90
   For j = 65 To 90
   For k = 65 To 90
   For l = 65 To 90
   For m = 65 To 90
   For n = 65 To 90
   password = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(n)
   ActiveSheet.Unprotect password
   If Err.Number = 0 Then
   MsgBox “Sheet Unprotected! Password Found: ” & password, vbInformation, “Success”
   Exit Sub
   End If
   Next n
   Next m
   Next l
   Next k
   Next j
   Next i

   MsgBox “Could not unlock the sheet.”, vbExclamation, “Failed”
   End Sub

5. After pasting, press the F5 key to start process.
6. Lastly, select “OK” button to release password in Excel.

Method 2: Editing XML File

This method only removes Workbook structure protection by using 7-Zip or WinRAR applications. Follow given steps:

1. Make a backup copy of your locked file.
2. Change the name from .xlsx to .zip.
3. A confirmation message will pop up.
4. Open converter file with 7-Zip or WinRAR.
5. Find your XL >> Worksheets file.
6. Open XML files and find “<sheetProtection>” using Ctrl + F.
7. If you find it, remove the complete tag.
8. Then save your file again.

Method 3: Using Google Sheets

This method only works with read-only protection to release password in Excel.

1. Open your Google Drive.
2. Import your locked Excel file.
3. Open locked file in Google Sheets.
4. Choose File tab >> Download >> XLSX options.
5. And save your file locally.

Method 4: Smart Solution to Unlock Locked Excel File

All manual techniques work with worksheet or structure password protection, but as we suggested, in case your workbook is protected with password, then you should use smart solution. This software provides two powerful features to find completely unknown and partially known passwords.

It comes with amazing and advanced features, and users can also download free demo version to guess first two characters of password.

How to Release Password in Excel? Forgotten Password

1. Download and install this software on your machine.

   

2. Use “Browse” button to import locked data file.

   

3. Choose Attack Mode: “Brute Force” and “Mask Attack”.

   

4. Provide known information about password.

   

5. Select the “Recover” button to release password in Excel.

   

6. After taking some time, it will show the password on the screen with a Pop-up, and choose “OK” button.

   

Final Conclusion

In this write-up, we have explained techniques to release password in Excel in both known and completely unknown situations. We have discussed Excel protection types, which types can be removed manually, and which require a smart solution. Users can analyze their protection types and choose right approach to unlock file without affecting original file source. You can connect with us anytime through live chat support.