by Have you ever encountered an Excel file protected by a password, and you have no way to unprotect it? Losing access to important spreadsheets can be frustrating, but there’s a simple solution! In this guide, I will show you how to unprotect an Excel file without a password using a free, open-source tool called Excel Unlocker.
Why Unprotect an Excel File?
There are several legitimate reasons why you may need to remove password protection from an Excel file:
- You forgot the password and need to access important data.
- A colleague protected the file but is no longer available.
- The file was provided to you with protection, but you need to make edits.
Regardless of the reason, the method shared in this article will help you unprotect the file quickly and effortlessly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Unprotect Excel Files Without a Password
Step 1: Download the Free Excel Unlocker Tool
To begin, you will need a tool called Excel Unlocker. This is an open-source software available for free on GitHub.
👉 [Download Excel Unlocker here]
Step 2: Install and Open Excel Unlocker
Once you have downloaded the tool, you will receive a file named something like ExcelUnlockerVisual.exe. Simply double-click on it to open the program.
Step 3: Select the Protected Excel File
- Click on the “Choose File” button within the tool.
- Select the Excel file that you need to unprotect.
- Ensure that the “Overwrite original file” option is unchecked to prevent data loss in case of an error.
Step 4: Unprotect the Excel File
- Click on the “Unprotect” button.
- Wait for the process to complete.
- A new file will be generated with the name Unprotect_OriginalFilename.xlsx.
Step 5: Open the Unprotected File
Now, simply open the newly created file, and you’ll see that all previously protected sheets are now fully accessible!
Important Notes
- This tool only works with .xlsx files (the latest Excel format). If your file is in .xls format (older version), you need to first convert it to .xlsx.
- To convert a file:
- Open the .xls file in Excel.
- Click “Save As” and choose .xlsx format.
- Then, proceed with the unprotection process.
Final Thoughts
With the Excel Unlocker tool, you no longer need to worry about forgotten passwords preventing access to important data. This simple, free method allows you to unprotect protected Excel sheets within seconds.
📢 Did you find this guide helpful? If yes, then don’t forget to share it with your friends and colleagues who might need it. Also, check out my YouTube channel HowISolve.com for more useful tech tutorials! 🎥
If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to leave a comment on YouTube. Happy unprotecting! 🚀
