How to Remove Password Protection from Excel? Best Recovery Techniques

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Published On November 3rd, 2025

Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

Category Excel File

Have you forgotten or lost the password of your Excel spreadsheets, or don’t know how to unlock your password-protected Excel file? Then don’t panic, here we have described all the possible information. We can unprotect Excel workbook without password using Google Sheets, by changing file extensions, using VBA code, and other ways.

We will explain the types of protection, how it is possible to remove password protection from Excel spreadsheets, and manual and professional methods.

Is It Possible to Remove Password from Excel Sheet?

No, it is not possible to remove password from Excel file because it’s an illegal process. No one can do it until the file belongs to you. If your sheet is protected with strong encryption, then only recovery is possible.

But again, recovery is not possible in all cases; first, you have to understand the types of file encryption.

MS Excel File Encryption Types

Microsoft Excel allows users to encrypt their data files with two different types:

Password to View and Modify: It’s a normal encryption that protects your file from being modified, and users can only preview data without making any changes. Users can easily unprotect Excel workbook without password with this protection.
Password to Open: This is a strong encryption for Excel files to protect your files from being opened by unknown persons. Here, you can’t open the file without having the correct password. And also, it can’t be removed without a professional solution.

How to Remove Password Protection from Excel Securely?

If your Excel file is encrypted with a password to open protection, which means you are not able to open your Excel file without a password, then download the SysTools Excel Password Recovery Tool. This is the only accurate and legal way to remove password protection from Excel files. It protects your data during the process. Try the free demo version to understand the features and working steps:

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How to Unprotect Excel Workbook without Password?

Only three manual methods can unprotect your Excel file, which is locked with a password to modify or view protection. But you can’t find the password of a file that is encrypted with a password to open. For that, you have to use the expert solution. Here are the proper ways to remove password protection from Excel:

Method 1: Using Google Sheets

Open your Google Drive online.
Import your protected Excel file here.
Open your uploaded file here.
Change the required information as per your.
Now select the “File” >> “Download” >> “XLSX” options.
All your changes will save successfully without a password.

Methods 2: By Modifying File Extensions

Important Note: Make a copy of your Excel file as a backup.

Find your protected Excel file.
Change the extension from .xlsx to .zip.
A pop-up will appear, and choose the “Yes” icon.
Now unzip your zipped data file.
Now locate the “XL” and then the “Worksheets” formats.
Here you will see two XML files.
Open them one by one and find the “<sheetProtection>” using “Ctrl + F” keys.
And if you find it, remove the whole tag and save the file using “Ctrl + S” keys.
After this, rename your data file from .zip to .xlsx format.

Method 3: Remove Password Protection from Excel Using VBA Editor

If above mentioned methods don’t work, then go for the VBA code. Make sure you have knowledge about Excel and VBA. Follow the mentioned steps to remove password protection from Excel file:

Head to the secured Excel sheet.
Open the VBA Editor using “Alt + F11” keys.
Use the given code:
Use the “Alt + F5” keys to start the process.
After that, select the “OK” icon to unprotect Excel workbook without password

Limitations of Manual Methods

All manual methods will work with simple encryption, like a password to modify and view.
These methods don’t provide a guarantee that they will remove the password.
Also, these techniques contain a high risk of file corruption.
For the safest method, go for the automatic solution.

Method 4: How to Unprotect a Strongly Locked Excel Sheet?

Download the given solution to remove password protection from Excel files. This software doesn’t remove but recovers the exact password of your file. You just have to upload your file, select modes and settings, and find the password. This software is available only for Windows machines. For more knowledge, check out the working steps and features:

Why Only SysTools Software?

Here we have explained the capabilities to unprotect Excel workbook without password, which makes you understand how it differs from other brands’ tools:

You can remove all types of passwords, like unknown and partially known, using Brute Force Attack and Mask Attack modes.
It can unprotect all types of protected Excel files, including passwords to open, modify, and view.
You can remove password protection from Excel XLSX and XLS formats easily and safely.
It can unprotect and guess all characters of the password, including numeric, letters, special characters, etc.
It works in offline mode, so there is no need for an internet connection. Also, it will not save your personal data.
One of the best parts, that this software doesn’t make any changes in the original data file.

How to Remove Password Protection from Excel?

First, you have to download and install the software on your system.
After that, import your single XLSX and XLS file using the “Browse” icon.
Now you can choose the “Recovery Mode” according to the information you have.
After that, set up filters and options according to you.
Next, choose the “Recover” icon to unprotect Excel workbook without password.
After successful completion, your password will appear on the screen.

Time to Say Goodbye

This write-up has explained the complete information, like it is possible types of encryption, manual and automatic solutions, etc. You can easily unprotect Excel workbook without password using Google Sheets, the VBA editor, by changing the file extension from .xlsx to .zip, and using an automatic solution for strong protection. All manual methods can work with a limited protection type, so read the complete article first and then choose the right way to remove password protection from Excel by recovery. For more information, contact us.