【Unprotect Excel Spreadsheet】Step by Step Guide ▷ 2022

In the first instance, protect a spreadsheet in it is an excellent idea to keep all the data stored there safe. Through this function, all cells are kept locked so that none of them can be edited by users who do not know the password.

However, there is the possibility that the user who protected the document has forgotten the password he placed. Therefore, it is very useful know how to remove the lock to regain access to the file information.

If you are interested in knowing the procedure, we will explain step by step How to unprotect a password protected Excel sheet? You can carry out this solution on both devices windowsWhat macOS.

Is it convenient to remove protection from a spreadsheet?

One of the main security measures that is recommended to all users today is protect your files and accounts with passwords if possible. The reason is that in this way you avoid losing information or being exposed to external manipulations that may suffer in your accounts or in your documents. However, as it is a practically essential requirement, it is normal for you to have a large number of passwords in your platforms, documents, social networks and much more.

This can cause anytime forget one of them. In the case of Excelit is highly recommended protect a spreadsheet to prevent other users from making changes to the worksheet.

But when the question of Is it convenient to remove protection from a spreadsheet?The answer depends on each case. For example, if you yourself forgot the password and need modifying some aspects is really necessary to remove the protection. But if you want to protect the information stored there, it is best to keep it with a password that only you know or the other person that you authorize to make changes to the document.

Learn step by step how to unprotect an Excel spreadsheet

There are three methods by which you can unprotect an Excel spreadsheet and the use of each of them depends on each case. For example, if you know the password you can easily unprotect the document directly in Excelin case you are not very sure you can choose to do it with the help of the google sheets or with a VBA file (in old versions of Excel).

Let’s see next:

Unprotect Excel spreadsheet if you remember the password

If you remember the password of the excel sheet or you have it on hand, the procedure is much faster and easier.

In these cases, you should do the following:

• Open the book
• Right click on the protected sheet tab. Protected sheets often have a lock on them, so right-click the tab to open the context menu.
• Go to the option Check in the top menu.
• Click on unprotect sheet.
• A window will open in which you must enter password. Write it down and press To accept.

Check out using Google Sheets

This is a second recommended method and it works for you especially if you You don’t remember the password that the sheet has that you need to unlock.

The step by step in this case is:

• Go to Google Drive. Keep in mind that if you have an account in Google Driveyou can use Google Sheets to remove the protection.
• once inside Driveselect the option New in the left menu of the page.
• Choose the option of Upload files. This allows the open open pane of your team.
• Select the file of Excel that you are going to edit and tap on Open.
• Once the document has been uploaded to Driveyou have to double click on the file of Excel.
• At the top of the preview, a menu will expand from which you need to select To open with.
• Then select on Google Sheets. Now that the file is open for editing in Google Sheets, any type of protection will have been removed from the leaves.
• Download the file again on your PC.

An additional fact is that in case you want to continue working on the file from Excelinstead of Google Sheets.

Download this new, checked-out version of your book with the following steps:

• Tap on the menu File, Archivein the upper left corner of the sheet.
• then go to Download as.
• Click on the option Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
• Choose the folder where you want to save the file.
• Tap on Save.

Check out using VBA file

This solution it will work only in versions of Excel 2010 or earlier. We recommend opting for this solution if you have already tried to unlock a sheet but could not remove the lock because you did not have the password on hand.

The procedure is explained below:

• Open the workbook that has the sheet protected. They usually have the file extension “.xls” either “.xlsx”.
• Save the file again in xls format. You should know that if your file has the extension “xlsx” (which usually have those that are made in more recent versions of Excel) You will only be able to use the method if you first convert it to the format of Excel 97-2003 (.xls). You can do it like this:

• Tap on File/ Save As.
• Go to the folder where you are going to save the document.
• Select the option of Excel 97-2003 (.xls) inside the menu save as type either File format.
• Click on Save.
• press the combination Alt+F11 for it to open visual basic editor.
• On the name of the book file, right click, specifically in the panel Project-VBAProject. You’ll find it at the top of the left panel. Check that you are right clicking on the option that has the file name.
• In the menu that will expand, click on Insert.
• Tap on Module. This will open a new module where you must insert a code.
• Copy the following code:

SubPasswordBreaker()
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) & 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

• Once you’ve copied it, right click on the new module and paste it. You will be able to see the new code in that new window.
• Press F5 to run the code. Excel will take care of executing the code, which can take a few minutes. When the process is complete, a new password will be displayed in a pop-up window.
• Click on To accept in the popup window Password. A new password will be displayed that you do not need to write down. just hit it on To accept and remove automatically the protection of the sheet.