Have you ever forgotten the password to an Excel file? It can be frustrating when you need to access important data, but can’t because of a password. Fortunately, there are several ways to open a password-protected Excel file that you can try.
The first thing you can do is try to remember the password. If you’ve used the same password for other accounts, try using that password. If you can’t remember the password, you can try using a password recovery tool. There are several free and paid password recovery tools available online that can help you recover your password.
If you still can’t open the file, you can try using a macro. A macro is a small program that can automate tasks in Excel. You can create a macro that will bypass the password protection and allow you to open the file. However, using a macro can be risky, as it can potentially harm your computer or compromise your data.
Methods of Opening a Password Protected Excel File
If you have forgotten the password to your Excel file and cannot access it, don’t worry. There are several methods you can use to open a password protected Excel file. In this section, we will discuss three methods that you can use to open a password protected Excel file.
Method 1: Using the Password
If you know the password to your Excel file, you can easily open it. Follow the steps below:
- Open the password protected Excel file.
- Enter the password when prompted.
- Click on “OK” or press “Enter”.
Method 2: Using a VBA Code
If you do not know the password to your Excel file, you can use a VBA code to open it. Follow the steps below:
- Open a new Excel workbook.
- Press “Alt + F11” to open the VBA editor.
- Click on “Insert” and select “Module”.
- Copy and paste the following code into the module:
Sub PasswordBreaker()
' Breaks worksheet password protection.
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) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & Chr(n)
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox "One usable password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & i1 & i2 & i3 & i4 & i5 & i6 & _
Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
- Press “F5” to run the code.
- The password will be displayed in a message box.
- Use the password to open your Excel file.
Method 3: Using a Password Recovery Tool
If you do not know the password to your Excel file and cannot use the VBA code, you can use a password recovery tool. Follow the steps below:
- Download and install a password recovery tool.
- Open the password recovery tool.
- Select your Excel file.
- Choose the appropriate attack type (dictionary attack, brute-force attack, etc.).
- Start the password recovery process.
- Once the password is recovered, use it to open your Excel file.
Tips for Opening Password Protected Excel Files
Tip 1: Try Common Passwords
If you’re unable to remember the password for your Excel file, the first thing you should try is common passwords. These can include your birthdate, your pet’s name, or any other password you frequently use. You can also try passwords that are commonly used, such as “password,” “123456,” or “qwerty.”
Tip 2: Use a Brute Force Attack
If common passwords don’t work, you can try a brute force attack. This involves using a software program to try every possible combination of characters until the correct password is found. This method can be time-consuming, but it’s often effective.
You can find a variety of brute force attack tools online, but be careful when downloading and using them. Some may contain malware or viruses that can harm your computer.
Tip 3: Seek Professional Help
If you’re still unable to open your password protected Excel file, you may need to seek professional help. There are companies that specialize in password recovery, and they may be able to help you recover your password.
Keep in mind that professional help can be expensive, so be sure to weigh the cost against the value of the data in your Excel file.
Prevention of Password Protected Excel Files
If you want to avoid the hassle of opening a password-protected Excel file, you can take a few steps to prevent yourself from creating password-protected files in the first place. Here are some tips:
Subsection 1: Create Strong Passwords
When you create a password for an Excel file, make sure it is strong and difficult to guess. Avoid using common words, phrases, or personal information that someone could easily guess. Instead, use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong passwords.
Subsection 2: Use Encryption
Encrypting your Excel files can provide an extra layer of protection. Encryption scrambles the data in your file so that it cannot be read without a decryption key. Excel has built-in encryption features that you can use to protect your files. To encrypt a file, go to the File menu, click on Info, and then click on Protect Workbook. From there, you can choose to encrypt the file with a password or a certificate.
Subsection 3: Avoid Storing Sensitive Data
If possible, avoid storing sensitive data in Excel files altogether. Instead, consider using a more secure data storage solution like a database or secure file sharing platform. If you must store sensitive data in Excel, make sure to take extra precautions to protect the file, such as creating a strong password and encrypting the file.
