How to Recover a Lost Password for a Microsoft Excel Workbook and Worksheet

[@robbthompson2205]

Brilliant! Totally worked!!

[@MyExcelOnline]

Great to hear!

[@merwinbarrett6160]

This worked perfectly! Thank You! My excel file extension was .xls and this method did not work until I renamed the extension to .xlsx then it worked perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing this video. You saved me a ton of time as I had 8 sheets in a form that I created that were all protected.

[@MyExcelOnline]

That's great! I have saved a lot of time using it as well, so thought we'd make a video out of it!

[@venkateshkh3520]

Thanks a million. Worked perfectly. God Bless

[@MyExcelOnline]

So great! Glad it worked for you! God bless you, too.

[@rmanuel67]

That was awesome, thank you.

[@MyExcelOnline]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danbrunner922]

Thank you for saving me having to recreate a complicated spreadsheet!!

[@MyExcelOnline]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@dasmy904]

Thanks aloooooooooot!

[@MyExcelOnline]

You are very welcome!

[@balajivasudevan4124]

Just had a chance to see your view for one of my requirement. Looks great. I forget my workbook password, and trying to unprotect it. But i could'nt. I changed the file extension from xls to zip, but no luck. It is showing an error "Windows cannot open the folder. The file is invalid". May i ask for your expertise advise here please?

[@MyExcelOnline]

Hi. We have another option in this video: studio.kzbin.infotNcFNKqZ4uc/edit

[@balajivasudevan4124]

@@MyExcelOnline Thanks for your reply. But my problem is that am not able to open the excel Work book as i lost my password. I tried changing the file extension from xls to zip, but no luck. It is showing an error "Windows cannot open the folder. The file is invalid". Do have any any tutorials to fix this please?

[@MyExcelOnline]

Unfortunately, that is because Microsoft changed windows after we made this video. We only know of the alternative posted above.

[@Vindya65786]

thank you very much.... 😍😍😍😍😍 you saved me

[@MyExcelOnline]

You're welcome! Glad it helped!

[@MyExcelOnline]

You're welcome! So glad it helped!

[@MyExcelOnline]

You're welcome! Glad it helped!

[@TheSumitesh]

When I try to open the zip it says invalid zip. Am i missing ssomething?

[@MyExcelOnline]

If Windows is not working for you to open a zip file, you may want to try the trial of WinZip or another file compression program.

[@sureshm466]

A great presentation. My file does not have an extension displayed. However in properties it says it is XLS type. How would I retrieve password. It is an important file consisting all my passwords.

[@MyExcelOnline]

I think the title is a little misleading (sorry about that). It should be "How to Get Around a Password". You can delete it, but for security purposed, you can't actually get the old password.

[@princejamesgoba5202]

Great explanation madam, unfortunately after doing all the process up to extracting the zip files, my files are totally different from the ones am seeing in your video. In the folder I only find [6]Dataspaces, EncryptedPackage and EncryptionInfo.

[@MyExcelOnline]

So sorry to hear that! Are you using the built in compression in Windows 10? And are you using a PC?

[@jeevanb370]

I also have the same issue, I'm using a Mac, when I change to file to .zip, I receive an error 'Unable to expand "[File Name]". If it an unsupported format. When I unzip using a extraction tool, I appear to have the same file name "Dataspaces, EncryptedPackage and EncryptionInfo."

[@MyExcelOnline]

There are differences between a Mac and a PC version. Since this is a file level one, it won't work on a Mac. But we do have an updated version of this video with another work around, so check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn_Gd4GBpr9nq8U

[@hoomanarab5623]

my exel sheet has .xls extention and not xlsx. any recomendations ?

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes! We will have an updated video on this next Thursday so watch here for that!

[@martinvisser7086]

Hi there, thanks for the video. However, I need help. Once I have converted the xlsx to zip, it would not allow me to open. Says format unsupported. What can I do. PLEASE HELP

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes, that is an older way to do it. We do have an alternative workaround here: studio.kzbin.infotNcFNKqZ4uc/edit

[@AspectisDaGOAT]

it does not dhow the same files for me when i extract

[@MyExcelOnline]

Do you have your files hidden somehow? There is an option in File Explorer to see all hidden files under View|Options. There's a checkbox you can set to see hidden files Maybe try that?

[@harrysegal306]

My situation is that I can't open the excel file at all. This presentation shows you can get into the workbook file and see the worksheet and greyed out functions. My situation is that when I go to open the file, it prompts me for the password right away. Any help videos on this situation. I have searched in vane for solutions. After changing extension to ".zip" two programs give error messages file is corrupt or damaged. I get same message on a brand new excel pw protected file as well. As with other comments below, I was locked out of this file after an update of Windows 10

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes, you should not be able to open the file in Excel at all, that is correct. All the work is done in Notepad and Winzip, so Excel shouldn't be an issue until the very end. However, it sounds like you have the entire sheet locked, and not a worksheet. That requires doing a similar process but instead of using the files that are named for the sheets, go one level up and use the file for the workbook name. If you would like additional help, please feel free to contact our consulting services here: www.myexcelonline.com/microsoft-excel-consulting-services/

[@geogarabet7279]

Thanks for your helpful efforts, but after changing the copy of the locked file into zip file it wouldn’t allow me to extract it. A message says: the compressed (zipped) folder is empty. Please, I need your help

[@MyExcelOnline]

What is the original file that you have? Is it a xlsx file?

[@KristiGunerius]

My sheet is locked, but I can't find the word protect or protection or sheetprotection anywhere in the xml language. any other ideas?

[@MyExcelOnline]

We have another method you could try here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn_Gd4GBpr9nq8U

[@jbkregs2766]

I was able to do every step you showed but when I tried to make changes it was still protected. The code seemed way to small so I even tried highlighting everything to the margins code and it still didn’t work for me. Great instructions though. So easy to follow.

[@MyExcelOnline]

I'm sorry it didn't work for you. Any chance you left in a < or a > in the text file?

[@tiagodumont4422]

Doens't work. When I open the ZIP file, I have a folder called [6]DataSpaces and two files called EncryptedPackage and EncryptionInfo.

[@MyExcelOnline]

Hi. Yes, that method worked with previous version of windows. We have another work around here in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn_Gd4GBpr9nq8U

[@MyExcelOnline]

Hi. Yes, this method worked on older versions of Windows. We do have an updated video for another work around. You can find that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn_Gd4GBpr9nq8U

[@matthewmoore9677]

Your title says recover password. I only got shown how to get around it. 😢was mislead

[@MyExcelOnline]

Oh, sorry about that! It's meant to be able to get into a locked file that you are locked out of.

[@SacredMachines]

@@MyExcelOnline Rename this video to reflect what it actually is. I stumbled upon this video for the same reason, and was also misled.

[@MyExcelOnline]

What do you think would be a more accurate title?

[@claudiewegdam]

Unfortunately it says that it can't open the file, due to it is invalid. Is there any other option? I have tried all options already. Getting desperate in the meanwhile. 😞

[@MyExcelOnline]

Hi. That tip doesn't work on later versions of windows. But we do have a work around here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn_Gd4GBpr9nq8U

[@jeevanb370]

Thank you for this video, unfortunately this method does not work for me, I'm using a Mac, when I change the file to .zip and double click on the file, I receive an error 'Unable to expand "[File Name]". If it an unsupported format". When I unzip using an extraction tool, I appear to have file names "Dataspaces, EncryptedPackage and EncryptionInfo."

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes, the MacOS doesn't work. We actually have an updated video on this here: studio.kzbin.infotNcFNKqZ4uc/edit

[@Elfin4]

Zip method doesnt work on Mac Book Pro.

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes, you are correct because the compression is a windows file. We do have an alternate solution in this video if it helps: studio.kzbin.infotNcFNKqZ4uc/edit

[@carlosumobile7439]

That method does not work for protected file, only works for a single sheey

[@MyExcelOnline]

What did you get when trying out? Cheers.

[@Yassinerider]

not work for protected file @@MyExcelOnline

[@MyExcelOnline]

So around 3:39 in the video, you will see that we are going to the worksheets folder. Instead of going to that folder, try modifying the workbook.xml file. That should get the workbook level password removed for you. So edit that file instead of the worksheet level ones and follow the same instructions to edit it and rezip. The line in the xml make be slightly different, but it should have to do with protection or password. Hope that helps!

[@nbabasketballhighlights24]

When I zip the file, it shows me that the format is unknown or damaged 😢

[@MyExcelOnline]

You could try using winrar instead and see if it solves the issue.

[@nbabasketballhighlights24]

@@MyExcelOnline I tried that, but it is not working. Do you have any suggestions?

[@MyExcelOnline]

Can you open the excel file on a different computer and zip it through windows there?

[@vatsalpandya2871]

not able to extract zip file

[@MyExcelOnline]

Hi. Thanks for the question. Sorry you are having an issue. If Windows isn't working to unzip your file, maybe you can try a product like WinZip?

[@____DK____]

@@MyExcelOnline Hi there, WinZip doesn't work either

[@MyExcelOnline]

Maybe try zipping the file on another computer where it works with the built in windows compression. Maybe you have an issue with Windows itself?

[@____DK____]

@@MyExcelOnline tried that too. Still same problem. Think with the new update on Windows this method does not work any more.

[@MyExcelOnline]

It may not. You could always try an older machine with maybe Windows 10 if it's a one time thing and you really need it. We also have consulting services if you would like more help with a specific file: www.myexcelonline.com/microsoft-excel-consulting-services/

[@GaryWright238]

I have a quicker way to recover a worksheet that has been password-protected. 1. Open the workbook and go to the sheet. 2. Select all on the protected worksheet 3. Copy the worksheet 4. Create a new worksheet page 5. Paste 6. Right-click the protected sheet and select delete. 7. Rename the copied sheet to the one that you deleted You have now created an unprotected version of the sheet you deleted.

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes, that is another way to do it. One of the great things about Excel is that there are many ways to do the same thing. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@drewwelbourn3961]

That doesn't work if the whole workbook is password protected.

[@GaryWright238]

@@drewwelbourn3961 My comment was about a worksheet

[@MyExcelOnline]

Oh, yes. Thanks for sharing.

[@natalio2]

I clicked on this video cause it says "Recover a Lost Password..." but it is not recovering...

[@MyExcelOnline]

Hi. This worked in past versions of Windows, but it may be outdated if you updated. We have a new work around if you would like to check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn_Gd4GBpr9nq8U

[@johneyon5257]

@@MyExcelOnline - this may be a joke

[@MyExcelOnline]

Oh I can see how it may have been written that way 😂

[@johneyon5257]

@@MyExcelOnline - hard to tell without a smiey

[@MyExcelOnline]

I agree!

[@kiara3391]

doesnt work for me

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes, this video works with older versions of Excel. We have an updated workaround that you could try here: studio.kzbin.infotNcFNKqZ4uc/edit

[@mohd.arif.siddiquisiddiqui6203]

invalid Zip file 🥲🥲🥲

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes, unfortunately, that method has changed since we posted the video. We created a new, similar method you could try here: studio.kzbin.infotNcFNKqZ4uc/edit

[@patrickmeehan6856]

Wow. I have not tried this method, but Ms. MyExcelOnline has described it in such a way that it seems WAY too easy. I wonder if it works for other Office applications.

[@MyExcelOnline]

I am not sure. If you test that out, let us know! And yes, it does work. We did it for a file this past year, which is how we learned about it.

[@matej9032]

This is not recover!!! only break password

[@MyExcelOnline]

Technically, yes. The main point is to be able to get into a locked spreadsheet. You can then change the password to whatever you need it to be after you get in.

[@JustBlackWolf]

This no longer works :)

[@MyExcelOnline]

Yes, unfortunately Windows has changed since we did that video. Good news though-we have another workaround here: studio.kzbin.infotNcFNKqZ4uc/edit

[@DEDEPLDEDE]

This doesn't work anymore as I cannot open the file it has been zipped

[@MyExcelOnline]

Hi. Sorry to hear that it did not work for you. Windows is making constant changes. We have another workaround if you would like to try it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn_Gd4GBpr9nq8U