How to Break Excel Password Protection to Regain Access?
Have you forgotten Excel workbook password and want to break it? Then don’t worry, this write-up will describe protection types and how to break Excel workbook password, with complete information.
MS Excel offers three different levels of protection: worksheet protection, workbook protection and Password to Open (strongest one). We can remove Worksheet and workbook protection using VBA code, Google Sheets, and editing XML file.
But if your workbook is protected with Password to Open, then nothing will work to unprotect it except automated solution. Let’s understand the security levels to break Excel password protection.
Types of Excel Password Protection
We can find correct password to unlock protected Excel sheet without password, but it depends on the password applied. Means Excel provides different types of protection levels such as:
- Worksheet Protection: It prevents users from modifying content of specific sheet, you can open and preview data but can’t edit cell data.
- Workbook Structure Protection: This secures your workbook and prevents structural changes, such as adding, deleting, hiding, moving, or renaming worksheets.
- Password to Open (Workbook Encryption): This is the strongest and highest level of Excel security. Users can’t open and access data without correct password. And nothing can remove or breach this security.
Now, let’s understand how we can remove protection from Excel file.
How to Break Excel Sheet Password?
We can easily remove or bypass worksheet and workbook protection using VBA Code, editing XML files, and using Google Sheets.
This software helps to find unknown or partially known password without affecting original file data. It can recover maximum of 15 characters of password including complex structures. Download the demo version to guess first 2 characters for free.
Method 1: Using VBA Code
This technique is helpful for worksheet protection, but it fails with complex password structures and strong encryption. Also, it only works with modern XLSX format of Excel.
- Open locked file.
- Use “Alt + F11” keys to open editor.
- Select the “Insert” >> “Module” option.
- Now, use provided code:
Sub UnlockExcelWithoutPassword()
Dim ws As Worksheet‘Unprotect all sheets
For Each ws In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
On Error Resume Next
ws.Unprotect Password:=””
ws.Unprotect
On Error GoTo 0
Next ws‘Unprotect workbook structure
On Error Resume Next
ThisWorkbook.Unprotect Password:=””
ThisWorkbook.Unprotect
On Error GoTo 0MsgBox “Done! Protection removed (if possible).”, vbInformation, “Unlock Excel”
End Sub - Hit the “F5” key to start code.
- Use “OK” button to break Excel sheet password.
Method 2: Break Excel Password Protection with 7-Zip or WinRAR
7-Zip and WinRAR help to remove workbook structure protection.
- Create a backup copy of your locked file.
- Locate your protected Excel file and rename it from .xlsx to .zip format.
- A message will appear and choose “Yes” option.
- Now open zipped file with 7-Zip or WinRAR.
- Find XL folder here and then Worksheets folder.
- Now open files and find <SheetProtection> tag using Ctrl + F keys.
- Remove the entire line and save it using “Ctrl + S” keys.
- Next, rename file from .zip to .xlsx.
Method 3: With Google Sheets
This technique only works with Read-Only protection to break Excel password protection.
- Head to Google Drive.
- Import your protected Excel file.
- Next, open your uploaded file in Google Sheets.
- Use File >> Download and XLSX format options.
- If it works, then your file may be unlocked.
Method 4: Find Correct Password (For Strong Encryption)
Let’s come to the point: if your file is locked with strongest encryption (Password to Open), meaning a password is required to break Excel password protection, then use only suggested tool. This automated solution helps to recover correct password instead of removing protection.
It works with both old and modern versions of Excel; XLSX and XLS. Also, it provides Brute Force mode for unknown passwords and Mask Attack for partially known passwords. It supports all types of credentials from simple to complex structures.
How to Break Excel Password Protection without Password?
Let’s understand how this tool helps to release password in Excel, step by step:
- Install the Excel file password breaker properly and launch it.
- Use Browse option to add protected XLSX and XLS files.
- Select Recovery Mode according to requirement.
- Provide known information (the more information you provide, the faster tool will find password).
- Choose Recover button to start the process of breaking Excel password.
- After completing process, a confirmation pop-up will show and choose OK button.
The correct password will show on the panel, use it to unlock file.
Why Only this Solution to Break Excel Sheet Password?
- Advanced Brute Force option helps find unknown password of unlock file; it tries all possible combinations until it guesses the correct password.
- Mask attack option helps to find partially known password, meaning if you can provide known details for faster recovery.
- This software supports simple to complex password structures easily, and it can find maximum 15-character password.
- The free demo version of Excel file breaker tool allows users to find first 2 characters.
- This software recovers correct password instead of removing illegal protection.
- An advanced progress bar helps users understand how much time it will take to break Excel password protection.
Final Words
This guide explained how to break Excel password protection without affecting original file data, with protection types, ways and complete information. Microsoft Excel provides different levels of security; we can regain access to a locked file depending on protection applied. Here we have used VBA code, edited XML file, Google Sheets and an automated solution to break Excel sheet password. You can choose any technique according to your requirements.