Excel Password Recovery: Step-by-Step Methods for Windows and Mac

Recover Excel Passwords Safely: Free and Paid Options ExplainedLosing access to an important Excel workbook because of a forgotten password is frustrating. Fortunately, there are safe methods to recover or remove Excel passwords without corrupting data. This article explains how Excel passwords work, evaluates free and paid recovery tools and methods, shows step-by-step guidance for common scenarios, and gives best practices to prevent future lockouts.

How Excel Passwords Work (brief overview)

Excel uses different protections depending on the version and the type of password:

• Opening password (Encrypting the file): Prevents opening the workbook without the password. Modern Excel (Office 2007 and later) uses AES encryption (strong).
• Modification or protection passwords (worksheet/workbook protection): Prevents editing certain parts or structure changes; these are generally weaker and easier to remove.
• VBA project password: Protects the macros/project; moderate strength depending on version.

Because opening passwords use strong encryption in modern files (.xlsx/.xlsm), recovering them without the original password is computationally difficult and often impractical without the correct credentials. Worksheet/workbook protection and older .xls (pre-2007) passwords are typically weaker and can sometimes be removed with simpler tools or code.

When recovery is possible and when it’s not

• Likely recoverable or removable

  • Worksheet/workbook protection passwords.
  • VBA project passwords (often recoverable with tools).
  • Old-format (.xls) file passwords using weaker hashing.

• Difficult or effectively impossible

  • Strong opening passwords on modern .xlsx/.xlsm files—these use AES and rely on brute force or dictionary attacks, which may be infeasible depending on password complexity and available hardware.

Free Methods and Tools

Pros: cost-free, often quick for weak protections. Cons: limited against strong encryption; some tools may be untrustworthy.

1. Manual removal for worksheet/workbook protection (XML method for .xlsx)

   • Applicable when the file is an .xlsx/.xlsm and you need to remove sheet protection.
   • Steps (high-level):
     1. Make a copy of the file.
     2. Rename .xlsx to .zip and extract.
     3. Edit relevant XML files (e.g., xl/worksheets/sheet1.xml) to remove or modify protection tags (look for ).
     4. Rezip and rename back to .xlsx.
   • Effective for removing protection that controls edits, not opening encryption.

2. Free open-source tools and scripts

   • Tools like libreoffice (occasionally can open files with weak protections) or community scripts on GitHub for removing workbook/worksheet passwords or for attacking VBA passwords.
   • Use caution: verify repository trustworthiness and review code before running.

3. VBA macro-based removal (for older formats)

   • For .xls, there are simple macros that can reset workbook/worksheet protection.
   • Limited and less effective on modern encrypted files.

4. Free brute-force/dictionary tools (limited)

   • Some community tools offer basic brute-force or dictionary attacks. Without GPU acceleration, recovery time can be prohibitive.

Security note: only use free tools from trusted sources and scan for malware. Do not upload sensitive files to unknown websites.

Paid Tools and Services

Pros: user-friendly, faster (GPU support), professional support; often include advanced attack options (mask, rule-based, GPU acceleration). Cons: cost, still limited by strong encryption.

1. Commercial password recovery software (examples of typical features)

   • Support for opening passwords, worksheet protection, and VBA project recovery.
   • GPU acceleration (NVIDIA/AMD) for fast brute-force.
   • Dictionary, mask, rule-based attacks, and distributed/cloud cracking.
   • Recovery for older .xls formats is fast; modern .xlsx opening passwords remain hard but possible for weak passwords.

2. Professional data-recovery services

   • For business-critical files, companies offer forensic password recovery with specialized hardware.
   • Usually expensive; viability depends on password strength and legal ownership of the file.

3. Cloud-based cracking services

   • Offer distributed cracking power for a fee.
   • Risk: you must upload your file—consider confidentiality and legal/privacy implications.

When choosing paid software, prefer vendors with good reputations, clear privacy policies, and trial versions so you can verify compatibility before purchasing.

Step-by-step: Removing Worksheet Protection (Safe, free method for .xlsx)

1. Make a backup copy of the workbook.
2. Change the file extension from .xlsx to .zip.
3. Extract the zip to a folder.
4. Open xl/worksheets/sheet1.xml (or relevant sheet file) in a text editor.
5. Find the sheetProtection tag, e.g.:

   
   <sheetProtection sheet="1" objects="1" scenarios="1" password="..."/> 

6. Remove the entire sheetProtection element or delete the password attribute.
7. Save the XML file.
8. Recompress the folder contents back to a .zip (ensure you zip the file contents so structure matches original).
9. Rename .zip back to .xlsx and open in Excel.

This removes worksheet protection but won’t decrypt files encrypted with an opening password.

Step-by-step: Using a Paid Tool (general workflow)

1. Choose a reputable tool and download from the official site.
2. Scan installer with antivirus; read privacy policy.
3. Install and run the tool.
4. Select the target file and the attack type: dictionary, mask, brute-force, or smart attacks.
5. Configure rules (e.g., known password length, character sets) to narrow the search.
6. Start recovery and monitor progress.
7. If recovered, save a copy and remove the password within Excel.

Tips to Improve Recovery Chances

• Try to recall: common words, dates, variations (caps, leetspeak), and likely lengths. Use those in a custom dictionary or mask.
• Use mask attacks (if you remember pattern) to dramatically cut time.
• Prefer GPU-accelerated tools for brute-force.
• For business files, check backups, version history (OneDrive/SharePoint), or ask colleagues for shared passwords.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Only attempt recovery on files you own or have explicit permission to access.
• Attempting to bypass passwords on files you don’t own can be illegal and unethical.
• For sensitive or regulated data, involve your organization’s IT or legal team.

Prevention: Better Password & Backup Practices

• Use a password manager (generate/store strong passwords).
• Keep regular backups and version history (cloud services like OneDrive or Google Drive).
• Use memorable but strong passphrases (longer is better).
• Record recovery hints securely (in a password manager’s notes).

Quick Comparison (free vs paid)

Final notes

If the workbook is encrypted with a strong opening password, restoration may be infeasible without the password — weigh the cost and effort of advanced cracking against restoring from backups or recreating the data. For non-encrypted protections (worksheet/workbook protection, VBA), free methods frequently succeed. Prioritize legal ownership, data privacy, and maintaining backups to avoid future lockouts.