How to Unlock an Excel Spreadsheet Without a Password

Forgotten Your Excel Password? Don't Panic. It happens to most of us. You open an important spreadsheet, ready to update the data, but you're greeted with a frustrating error message: "The cell or chart you are trying to change is on a protected sheet."

If you've forgotten the password—or inherited a locked file from a former colleague—you might feel stuck. But here is the good news: Unlocking an Excel spreadsheet is almost always possible, and in most cases, it is not a difficult job. This guide will walk you through the most effective, safe, and proven methods to unlock Excel spreadsheet, ranging from simple tricks to advanced technical solutions.

Part 1. 4 Methods to Unlock Excel Spreadsheet

There are several solutions for users to unlock Excel spreadsheet. You can follow the 4 proven methods to get your Excel file unlocked.

Method 1: Unlock Excel Spreadsheet via TunesKit File Password Recovery

If you don't know the correct password to unlock an excel, it will not be a simple situation. In this case, you need a specialized tool designed to recover the password. TunesKit File Password Recovery is a powerful utility designed specifically for this purpose. It uses advanced algorithms to recover lost "Open" passwords without damaging your data.

Besides unlocking protected Excel files, TunesKit File Password Recovery also supports unlocking Excel/PPT, PDF, and RAR/ZIP. By using this powerful tool, users can easily remove password protection from documents without encountering any hassle.

If you are wondering how to unlock an excel spreadsheet by using TunesKit File Password Recovery, just follow the below steps.

Step 1Select a File Type

Download and launch TunesKit File Password Recovery. Select Excel/Word/PPT and click on Recover Office Password. Click the large + icon to browse and select your password-protected Excel file.

Step 2Select the Attack Mode

This is the most critical step. TunesKit offers 3 modes depending on what you remember about the password. To recover your excel password, just select the Dictionary Attack.

Step 3Start Recovery

Click the Start Recover button. The software will begin processing. Once the password is found, it will be displayed clearly on the screen. You can copy it and use it to open your Excel file immediately.

Method 2: The "Google Sheets" Trick

If you have a file that is locked for editing (you can view it but not touch it), this is the fastest workaround. It works because Google Sheets often ignores or strips local Excel protection attributes during the conversion process. The following is the how-to:

Step 1. Go to Google Drive and upload your locked Excel file.

Step 2. Double-click the file. It might open in Preview Mode. Click Open with and Google Sheets at the top.

Step 3. Once the file is open in Google Sheets, you will likely find that you can edit the cells immediately. The protection has been stripped.

Step 4. Go to File and select the Download button.

Step 5. Select Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).

When you open this new file on your computer, the sheet protection should be gone.

Method 3: The XML "Zip" Method to Unlock Excel Spreadsheet

If Method 2 didn't work, or if you prefer not to upload sensitive data to the cloud, this is the gold standard for unlocking Excel files. Excel files (.xlsx) are actually just zipped folders containing XML data. We can edit that data directly to remove the password.

Step 1. Make a backup copy of your locked Excel file. (Crucial, in case you make a mistake). Then, right-click the file and choose Rename.

Step 2. Change the file extension from .xlsx to .zip. Windows will ask if you are sure. Click Yes.

Step 3. Open the .zip file (you don't need to unzip it, just double-click to open it like a folder).

Step 4. Navigate to the folder: xl > worksheets. You will see files like sheet1.xml, sheet2.xml, etc. Identify which sheet is locked (usually sheet1.xml).

Step 5. Copy this file to your desktop. Right-click the file on your desktop and open it with Notepad (or a code editor like Notepad++).

Step 6. Press Ctrl + F and search for the word: protection.

Step 7. You are looking for a tag that looks like this: sheetProtection algorithmName="SHA-512" hashValue="..." sheet="1" objects="1" scenarios="1". Select the entire tag, from the opening < to the closing />. Delete it.

Step 8. Save the XML file and close Notepad. Drag and drop the modified sheet1.xml from your desktop back into the .zip folder (overwriting the old one).

Step 9. Rename the .zip file back to .xlsx. Open your Excel file. The password is gone!

Method 4: Using VBA Code to Unlock Excel Spreadsheet

If you are using an older version of Excel (2010 or earlier) or if the XML method seems too complex, you can use a "Password Breaker" macro. This script exploits a weakness in older hashing algorithms.

Step 1. Open your locked spreadsheet.

Step 2. Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA Editor.

Step 3. Go to Insert > Module.

Step 4. Paste the following code:

Step 5. Press F5 to run the macro. It may take a minute, but it will attempt to force the sheet open.

Part 3. What If I Have an "Open" Password?

If you cannot open the file at all because a popup asks for a password immediately, the methods above may not work. This is because the entire file is encrypted.

Your Options:

• Guess the Password: It sounds silly, but try variations of common corporate passwords, project names, or years (e.g., Finance2023).
• Brute-Force Tools: Software like TunesKit File Password Recovery can attempt to crack the password.
• Backup Check: Look for "Previous Versions" in Windows or check your email history for an older, unlocked version of the file.

Part 4. FAQs About How to Unlock Excel Spreadsheet

Part 5. Conclusion

Excel passwords are designed to prevent accidental changes, not to provide military-grade security. By using the Google Sheets method for speed or the XML method for precision, you can regain access to your work in minutes. By using TunesKit File Password Recovery, you can easily unlock your Excel file by recovering the passcode.