Excel: How to Unprotect Worksheet Without Password

Written on June 5, 2008 – 9:13 am | by Hii Hiong Ching |

You may sometimes forgot your password of your Microsoft Excel sheet or workbook, or the original author (usually ex-colleague) lock the workbook and didn’t unlock it for next user, the marco below will unlock your sheet or workbook not matter what your original password is. However, it will NOT report the original password.

How to unprotect

1. First open your protected excel file
2. Launch the Visual Basic Editor
3. Copy and paste the following VB Code

'----------------------------------------------------------------
Option Explicit 

Public Sub AllInternalPasswords()
' Breaks worksheet and workbook structure passwords. Bob McCormick
' probably originator of base code algorithm modified for coverage
' of workbook structure / windows passwords and for multiple passwords
'
' Norman Harker and JE McGimpsey 27-Dec-2002 (Version 1.1)
' Modified 2003-Apr-04 by JEM: All msgs to constants, and
' eliminate one Exit Sub (Version 1.1.1)
' Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords 

Const DBLSPACE As String = vbNewLine & vbNewLine
Const AUTHORS As String = DBLSPACE & vbNewLine & _
"Adapted from Bob McCormick base code by" & _
"Norman Harker and JE McGimpsey"
Const HEADER As String = "AllInternalPasswords User Message"
Const VERSION As String = DBLSPACE & "Version 1.1.1 2003-Apr-04"
Const REPBACK As String = DBLSPACE & "Please report failure " & _
"to the microsoft.public.excel.programming newsgroup."
Const ALLCLEAR As String = DBLSPACE & "The workbook should " & _
"now be free of all password protection, so make sure you:" & _
DBLSPACE & "SAVE IT NOW!" & DBLSPACE & "and also" & _
DBLSPACE & "BACKUP!, BACKUP!!, BACKUP!!!" & _
DBLSPACE & "Also, remember that the password was " & _
"put there for a reason. Don't stuff up crucial formulas " & _
"or data." & DBLSPACE & "Access and use of some data " & _
"may be an offense. If in doubt, don't."
Const MSGNOPWORDS1 As String = "There were no passwords on " & _
"sheets, or workbook structure or windows." & AUTHORS & VERSION
Const MSGNOPWORDS2 As String = "There was no protection to " & _
"workbook structure or windows." & DBLSPACE & _
"Proceeding to unprotect sheets." & AUTHORS & VERSION
Const MSGTAKETIME As String = "After pressing OK button this " & _
"will take some time." & DBLSPACE & "Amount of time " & _
"depends on how many different passwords, the " & _
"passwords, and your computer's specification." & DBLSPACE & _
"Just be patient! Make me a coffee!" & AUTHORS & VERSION
Const MSGPWORDFOUND1 As String = "You had a Worksheet " & _
"Structure or Windows Password set." & DBLSPACE & _
"The password found was: " & DBLSPACE & "$$" & DBLSPACE & _
"Note it down for potential future use in other workbooks by " & _
"the same person who set this password." & DBLSPACE & _
"Now to check and clear other passwords." & AUTHORS & VERSION
Const MSGPWORDFOUND2 As String = "You had a Worksheet " & _
"password set." & DBLSPACE & "The password found was: " & _
DBLSPACE & "$$" & DBLSPACE & "Note it down for potential " & _
"future use in other workbooks by same person who " & _
"set this password." & DBLSPACE & "Now to check and clear " & _
"other passwords." & AUTHORS & VERSION
Const MSGONLYONE As String = "Only structure / windows " & _
"protected with the password that was just found." & _
ALLCLEAR & AUTHORS & VERSION & REPBACK
Dim w1 As Worksheet, w2 As Worksheet
Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer, l As Integer
Dim m As Integer, n As Integer, i1 As Integer, i2 As Integer
Dim i3 As Integer, i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 As Integer
Dim PWord1 As String
Dim ShTag As Boolean, WinTag As Boolean 

Application.ScreenUpdating = False
With ActiveWorkbook
WinTag = .ProtectStructure Or .ProtectWindows
End With
ShTag = False
For Each w1 In Worksheets
ShTag = ShTag Or w1.ProtectContents
Next w1
If Not ShTag And Not WinTag Then
MsgBox MSGNOPWORDS1, vbInformation, HEADER
Exit Sub
End If
MsgBox MSGTAKETIME, vbInformation, HEADER
If Not WinTag Then
MsgBox MSGNOPWORDS2, vbInformation, HEADER
Else
On Error Resume Next
Do 'dummy do loop
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
With ActiveWorkbook
.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 .ProtectStructure = False And _
.ProtectWindows = False Then
PWord1 = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & _
Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & _
Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
MsgBox Application.Substitute(MSGPWORDFOUND1, _
"$$", PWord1), vbInformation, HEADER
Exit Do 'Bypass all for...nexts
End If
End With
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Loop Until True
On Error GoTo 0
End If
If WinTag And Not ShTag Then
MsgBox MSGONLYONE, vbInformation, HEADER
Exit Sub
End If
On Error Resume Next
For Each w1 In Worksheets
'Attempt clearance with PWord1
w1.Unprotect PWord1
Next w1
On Error GoTo 0
ShTag = False
For Each w1 In Worksheets
'Checks for all clear ShTag triggered to 1 if not.
ShTag = ShTag Or w1.ProtectContents
Next w1
If ShTag Then
For Each w1 In Worksheets
With w1
If .ProtectContents Then
On Error Resume Next
Do 'Dummy do loop
For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66
For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66
For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126
.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _
Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & _
Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
If Not .ProtectContents Then
PWord1 = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & _
Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & _
Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
MsgBox Application.Substitute(MSGPWORDFOUND2, _
"$$", PWord1), vbInformation, HEADER
'leverage finding Pword by trying on other sheets
For Each w2 In Worksheets
w2.Unprotect PWord1
Next w2
Exit Do 'Bypass all for...nexts
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Loop Until True
On Error GoTo 0
End If
End With
Next w1
End If
MsgBox ALLCLEAR & AUTHORS & VERSION & REPBACK, vbInformation, HEADER
End Sub
'----------------------------------------------------------------

4. Then press Run button, all internal password will be removed.

If you really don’t know how to do or lazy to copy and cut, you can download the workbook attached below. The workbook is hidden, and has an attached toolbar with a button to start the macro. Activate the workbook you want to unlock and click the button. The code is unlocked so you may examine and modify it as needed. Note: This macro cannot unlock password to open.

Download here

DISCLAIMER: Please note that breaking password protection MAY violate laws or regulations in your jurisdiction.

Popularity: 100% [?]

  1. 13 Responses to “Excel: How to Unprotect Worksheet Without Password”

  2. By Lucien JacquetNo Gravatar on Nov 18, 2008 | Reply

    Thanks a million! I’ve been using a workbook that I downloaded last year but that was created in 2001-2002. I wanted to modify some of the formulas, but the author had protected the sheet, and the contact information he had included was no longer valid. Your macro made short work of the password on the sheet protection, worked flawlessly, and gave good feedback as it went. As an added bonus, I can now use the workbook as a template, and can carry it with me on my Windows Mobile device!

    As a former programmer, I can recognize quality work when I see it: nice job!

  3. By GerardoNo Gravatar on Apr 8, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks a million!! This worked great! I thought I was going to have recreate a whole new spreadsheet; I could not remember my password. Great job!

  4. By ThomasNo Gravatar on Sep 18, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks,
    the macro worked great. Really appreciate it. Thanks

  5. By HeidiNo Gravatar on Jan 14, 2010 | Reply

    You are a STAR – saved me a whole heap of work.

  6. By jaredNo Gravatar on Feb 5, 2010 | Reply

    wow so great

  7. By ChesterNo Gravatar on Apr 20, 2010 | Reply

    My best regards to you Hii Hiong Ching for making this program…Thank you..it helps me a lot in my work in the office. Keep up the good work..

    Chester – Kuwait

  8. By blowflyNo Gravatar on Apr 30, 2010 | Reply

    thanks alot.. it worked and it saved me from redoing the whole thing

    thanks

  9. By SushantNo Gravatar on Apr 30, 2010 | Reply

    Thanks dear

  10. By bcdcopNo Gravatar on May 12, 2010 | Reply

    Thank You! Worked great!

  11. By Multitask GirlNo Gravatar on Jun 10, 2010 | Reply

    OMG, U just saved me weeks worth of work!! Thank U, thank u, thank u!!!

  12. By MikeNo Gravatar on Jun 15, 2010 | Reply

    Thank you so very much. Had to unprotect a workbook of a former collegue, and this was so much easier than trying to use a program.

  13. By ParasNo Gravatar on Jun 23, 2010 | Reply

    thanks…………..a lot man it workd.

  14. By Brandon CNo Gravatar on Jul 8, 2010 | Reply

    Thanks a million! Macro works!! You’ve saved me from hours of work Someone created some crazy super long password for our spreadsheet)!

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About Office-it.orG

This is a site to share my knowledge, discovery and experience related to my hobby and work. Most articles on this site are related to web design, web development, graphic design, short reviews, tips and tricks. I sometimes write some about Microsoft Office Application too.

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