Mastering the Art of Breaking or Unlocking Excel Lost Passwords

Watblog – Breaking or Unlocking Excel Lost Passwords – Ah, the dreaded Excel password. We’ve all been there staring blankly at our screens, desperately trying to remember that elusive combination of characters that unlocks our precious spreadsheet. But fear not, fellow Excel enthusiasts! In this article, we’ll embark on a journey to unravel the secrets of breaking or unlocking Excel’s lost passwords. So, if you’re feeling locked out of your spreadsheet kingdom, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into the world of Excel password recovery.

The Importance of Excel Passwords

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of breaking or unlocking Excel passwords, let’s first understand why these passwords are essential. Excel allows us to store sensitive data, financial records, and confidential information. Password protection is like a fortress that guards your data from prying eyes. However, it’s only useful if you can get past the gatekeeper when you forget the key.

Unprotecting an Excel Spreadsheet Without the Password

How do you unprotect an Excel spreadsheet if you have lost your password?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you regain access to your locked Excel spreadsheet without the password:

1. Excel Built-in Features:

   • Open the password-protected Excel file.
   • Go to the “Review” tab.
   • Click on “Unprotect Sheet” or “Unprotect Workbook.”
   • If it prompts you for a password, leave it blank and click OK.

2. Online Password Recovery Tools:

   • Several online tools can help recover lost Excel passwords. Some popular options include LostMyPass, OnlineHashCrack, and Password-Find.
   • Upload your password-protected Excel file to one of these websites.
   • Follow the instructions on the site to recover or remove the password.

3. Use VBA Code (for Excel 2010 and older):

   • Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.
   • In the Project Explorer, find your Excel file under “Microsoft Excel Objects.”
   • Right-click on your file and select “Insert” > “Module.”
   • Copy and paste the following code into the module:

vba

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 = 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) & Chr(i1) & _
Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox "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
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub

• Close the VBA editor.
• Press Alt + F8, select “PasswordBreaker,” and click “Run.”

4. Third-party Software:
   • There are various third-party Excel password recovery software available, such as PassFab for Excel and Excel Password Recovery Lastic. Install one of these tools and follow their instructions for password recovery.

Unlocking a Locked Excel Sheet in VBA

How do you unlock a locked Excel sheet in VBA?

Unlocking a locked Excel sheet using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) can be a bit more complex but is highly effective. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open Excel and Press Alt + F11 to Open the VBA Editor:
   • In the VBA editor, locate the sheet you want to unlock in the “Microsoft Excel Objects” folder under your workbook.
2. Insert a New Module:
   • Right-click on your workbook name and select “Insert” > “Module.”
3. Copy and Paste the Following Code into the Module:

vba

Sub UnlockSheet()
Dim ws As Worksheet
Dim password As String

' Set the password (replace "YourPassword" with the actual password)
password = "YourPassword"

' Specify the sheet you want to unlock
Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("SheetName")

' Unprotect the sheet
On Error Resume Next
ws.Unprotect password
On Error GoTo 0

' Check if the sheet is unprotected
If ws.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox "The sheet is now unlocked!", vbInformation
Else
MsgBox "Sorry, the password is incorrect or the sheet cannot be unlocked.", vbExclamation
End If
End Sub

4. Replace “YourPassword” and “SheetName” with the Appropriate Values:
   • Replace “YourPassword” with the actual password of your locked sheet.
   • Replace “SheetName” with the name of the sheet you want to unlock.
5. Run the Code:
   • Close the VBA editor and press Alt + F8.
   • Select “UnlockSheet” and click “Run.”

Conclusion

Unlocking or breaking Excel passwords might seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and tools at your disposal, it becomes a manageable challenge. Remember to always use these techniques responsibly and only on files you have permission to access. Excel password protection serves a crucial purpose in safeguarding sensitive data, and knowing how to work with it can make your Excel experience smoother.

Now that you’ve delved into the art of breaking or unlocking Excel lost passwords, you’re better equipped to tackle the occasional memory lapse or accidental lockout. So go ahead, unlock the secrets of your spreadsheets, and let your data flow freely once again. Happy Excel-ing!