Može biti jako frustrirajuće kada koristite resurs zaštićen lozinkom i zaboravite lozinku. Čak i web stranice za online članstvo mogu biti dovoljno frustrirajuće. Ali ako se radi o projektu u Excel dokumentu zaštićenom lozinkom , a zatim ste zaboravili lozinku – to može biti neželjena prepreka u vašem napretku.

Srećom, postoje neke stvari koje možete učiniti kako biste uklonili lozinku iz programa Excel^(Excel) . Ako želite da vaš dokument bude zaštićen lozinkom, možete ga ponovno spremiti i zaštititi nakon što ga razbijete. Ali za ovaj članak ćemo se usredotočiti na dio pucanja.

Neka terminologija^{(Some Terminology)}

Uklanjanje lozinke iz Excela^(Excel) odnosi se upravo na to – stvaranje datoteke tako da više nema lozinku. Razbijanje lozinke je opet, kao što zvuči, razbijanje lozinke kako biste mogli pristupiti datoteci. To bi mogao biti slučaj kada je lozinka slomljena na putu do uklanjanja ili slomljena na putu do razbijanja. 

Da, napuknuto^(cracked) zvuči kao slomljeno, ali razmislite o haku^(hack) . U slučaju razbijanja^(cracking) zaboravljene lozinke, otkrivate koja je lozinka kako biste mogli pristupiti datoteci.

Ograničenja^{(Limitations)}

Mnogi softverski programi i mnoštvo drugih dostupnih opcija samo će dovesti do slijepe ulice ili neke vrste ograničenja. Na primjer, radit će za Excel 2007, ali ne i za Excel 2016 ili Mac . Ili će raditi za zaštitu unutar radnog lista, ali ne i ako ne možete otvoriti datoteku (otvorena lozinka). 

Zanimljivo je da će softverske opcije koje će raditi za te stavke (npr . Excel 2016, otvorena lozinka, Mac itd.) također raditi za starije Excel programe. 

Dakle, zašto kupiti dva programa ili morate kupiti jedan program za nove datoteke i zatrpati svoje računalo besplatnim programom za starije datoteke kada vam ne treba? Ima smisla nabaviti pravi program koji rješava vaš problem. I dok je *besplatno* divno, 9-30 USD nije apsolutno užasna cijena, a ne kada uzmete u obzir mnogo vrijednog (i potrebnog) softvera iznosi 300-500 USD.

Neka bude jednostavno, evo nekoliko *besplatnih* opcija koje bi mogle ukloniti zaporku iz Excela^(Excel) i tako vas spasiti od plaćanja ili čak instaliranja bilo čega. Kasnije^(Later) ćemo razmotriti neka plaćena softverska rješenja.

Besplatne metode^{(Free Methods)}

Sljedeće su neke metode koje možete isprobati i koje bi vam mogle omogućiti da svoj novčanik držite zatvorenim. Nema garancija, ali to je mjesto za početak. Imajte na umu dvije stvari:

1. Ako nemate vremena ili želite lakšu rutu, možda ćete htjeti prijeći ravno na plaćena rješenja (softver).
2. Enkripcija u Excelu^(Excel) prije 2013. bila je prilično pojednostavljena. To znači da je lakše razbiti radni list koji je bio zaštićen^(protected) prije 2013. Opet^(Again) , ako želite preskočiti gnjavažu, za noviju verziju radnog lista (noviju verziju Excela^(Excel) ) možda ćete htjeti preskočiti besplatne verzije i ići ravno za plaćeno.

Bez obzira na sve, ne zaboravite napraviti sigurnosnu kopiju datoteke^{(make a backup of the file)} . Više od jedne sigurnosne kopije može biti mudro. Ispucajte kopiju datoteke kako biste bili sigurni da nema oštećenja ili oštećenja izvorne datoteke. Većina ovih softverskih metoda i besplatnih metoda ne oštećuju datoteku, ali je bolje pogriješiti na strani opreza.

Dvije metode VBA skripte^{(Two VBA Script Methods)}

Ideja korištenja VBA skripte je zaobići mehanizam provjere lozinke u programu Microsoft Excel^{(Microsoft Excel)} i razbiti Excel lozinku. Ali to radite tako da zavarate program prije nego što proces počne, s osnovnim skriptnim jezikom Visual Basica^{(Visual Basic)} . 

Moglo bi se činiti štreberskijom opcijom, ali to je vjerojatno najmanje uključena metoda, pa biste je mogli prvo isprobati.

Ovdje je VBA skripta^{(VBA Script)} . Čim otvorite Excel radni list^{(Excel Worksheet)} , pristupite uređivaču pomoću Alt F11 (radi i na Macu^(Mac) ), odaberite datoteku s popisa i zalijepite ovu skriptu u prozor Deklaracije .^{(Declarations)}

Sub BreakPassword()

   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
      Exit Sub
   End If

   Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
   Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next

End Sub

Nakon što pritisnete gumb za pokretanje^(run) (F5) za VBA skriptu, dajte joj malo vremena i kada gumb ponovno postane dostupan, znat ćete da je skripta završila. 

Postoji nekoliko mogućnosti. Na primjer, u verziji za Mac , možete jednostavno početi uređivati ​​datoteku. Druge verzije, poput Windowsa^(Windows) , dat će vam privremenu lozinku koju možete koristiti za otključavanje dokumenta i početak uređivanja. U ovom trenutku imate mogućnost dodati novu lozinku ako želite i ponovno spremiti dokument s tom lozinkom.

Postoji još jedna izvrsna metoda VBA Script koja uzima Excel datoteku i ponovno stvara njenu kopiju bez lozinke(i). Možete kopirati/zalijepiti VBA skriptu s ove stranice^{(this page)} .

Opcija Ivana Trbosjeka^{(John the Ripper Option)}

Druga mogućnost uklanjanja lozinke iz Excela^(Excel) je temeljniji pristup, korištenje terminala. To je verzija Ivana Trbosjeka . ^{(John the Ripper)}Ovo je također učinkovita metoda za opće razbijanje lozinki i učinkovito se koristi desetljećima. Neke od drugih metoda, poput softverske metode, vjerojatno su lakše i učinkovitije, posebno za novije verzije programa Excel . 

Također, ako imate stariju verziju Excela^(Excel) (prije 2013.) i ne smeta vam tipkati, učinkovita je VBA Script metoda^{(VBA Script Method)} . Za metodu Ivana Trbosjeka^{(John the Ripper)} , posjetite ovu stranicu^{(this site)} i pomaknite se do dna za metodu/upute kako to učiniti.

XML/Zip Method (Pre-Excel 2013)

Nakon što napravite sigurnosnu kopiju datoteke, možete nastaviti koristiti XML/Zip metodu da biste je razbili. 

• Sve što trebate učiniti je promijeniti ekstenziju datoteke iz xls u zip tako da Windows misli da je datoteka sada zip datoteka umjesto Excel datoteke. To će omogućiti pristup postojećem XML-u (pod pretpostavkom da metoda radi, što možda neće).
• Izvadite sada zip datoteku i potražite XML datoteku. Bit će u imeniku  radnih listova .^(worksheets)
• U datoteci potražite pojam sheetProtection i kada ga pronađete, uklonite oznaku koja ga zatvara. Oznaka obično počinje s < i završava s > . Želite ukloniti cijelu oznaku, od početka do kraja. 
• Spremite datoteku (još uvijek zip). Nakon spremanja datoteke, preimenujte zip ekstenziju u izvornu ekstenziju. Trebali biste biti spremni i sposobni za otvaranje i rad s datotekom. 

Ova metoda nije dobro funkcionirala, a istraživanje kaže da djeluje samo za starije datoteke.

Ostalo (prikupljanje informacija)^{(Other (Gathering Information))}

Postoji još jedna opcija lozinke koja se preporučuje pod nazivom Excel Password Recovery Lastic . To je zanimljiva opcija, ali kada je testirana, nije impresionirala, nikada nije napredovala. 

Uz to, postoje neke korisne informacije koje se mogu prikupiti korištenjem programa čak i ako ne dovrši proces razbijanja lozinke (ili uklanjanja).

• Nakon preuzimanja softvera, dvaput ga kliknite i prođite kroz postupak instalacije na vašem Windows računalu. 
• Otvaranje programa dovest će vas do prozora koji izgleda kao onaj prikazan gore, nakon što je izvršio skeniranje vašeg stroja.

Program je koristan jer pronalazi datoteke programa Excel^(Excel) koje bi mogle trebati pomoć, odnosno one koje su zaštićene lozinkom. 

Primijetit ćete da je prva datoteka na gornjem popisu datoteka prije 2013. s ekstenzijom xls i lozinka za otvaranje^{(Password to open)} pokazuje <CSP> . Druge dvije datoteke su datoteke iz 2016. i prikazuju ekstenziju xlsx i lozinku za otvaranje^{(Password to open)} od <strong> .

Lozinka za prvu datoteku na popisu je lozinka. ^(password.)Postavljen je na ovaj način kako bi testiranje bilo jednostavno. Međutim, čak i uz jednostavnu lozinku, i što je još važnije, slabu enkripciju (zbog verzije Excel softvera), Excel Password Recovery Lastic alat je ipak preporučio da se isproba druga opcija. Preporučio je posjet Password-Find- u, o čemu više detalja možete pronaći u nastavku.

Ostale datoteke (xlsx) također su dobile istu preporuku, što se i očekivalo. Ako softver ne može obraditi najjednostavniju datoteku, ne bi se očekivalo da će obraditi datoteku Excel 2016 .

Evo gdje bi ovaj softver mogao biti od pomoći. Ako imate Excel proračunsku tablicu i znate da je zaštićena lozinkom, ali niste sigurni u kojoj mjeri, možete dopustiti programu Excel Password Recovery Lastic^{(Excel Password Recovery Lastic)} da pronađe datoteku (kada izvrši svoje automatsko skeniranje kada otvorite program) i zatim vam reći što vrstu zaštite koju datoteka ima (vidi gornju sliku). 

Primijetit ćete da na gornjoj slici prikazuje <CSP> , kao što smo ranije spomenuli, što nam pomaže da znamo koju verziju datoteke (osim te male pomoći za proširenje datoteke, gledajući je li to xls ili xlsx ).

Svaka mala informacija pomaže. Korištenjem ovog softverskog alata možete barem otkriti je li Excel datoteka otvorena lozinka^{(open password)} ili lozinka za izmjenu^{(modify password)} ili oboje, ili neka druga kombinacija.

Gornja slika prikazuje drugu vrstu datoteke. Znajući koju vrstu zaštite datoteka ima (kao i verziju), može se izolirati koja je vrsta razbijanja lozinke potrebna, a to bi nam moglo uštedjeti vrijeme, energiju, a možda i novac. 

Ovaj softver možda nije učinio djelo (krekirao datoteku), ali je pomogao razumjeti datoteku i koje korake poduzeti dalje.

Plaćene softverske metode^{(Paid Software Methods)}

Bez obzira na to koju metodu odaberete za uklanjanje lozinke iz Excela^(Excel) , korisno je napraviti sigurnosnu kopiju Excel datoteke samo u slučaju da dođe do oštećenja u tom procesu. Općenito, možete jednostavno duplicirati neotvorenu datoteku. Postoje i druge metode sigurnosnog kopiranja i dobro je napraviti nekoliko sigurnosnih kopija, samo da budete sigurni.

Dr.Excel ($29.95)

iSeePassword nudi softverski paket za razbijanje Excel lozinki. Također nude opcije za normalne Windows lozinke, tako da su u određenoj mjeri one na jednom mjestu. 

Također, dovoljno su ljubazni ponuditi probnu verziju kako biste mogli vidjeti radi li program uopće za vas prije nego što potrošite novac. Postoji dovoljno opcija da biste mogli osigurati da softver koji odlučite koristiti ima probnu verziju, što vam omogućuje procjenu prije nego što potrošite novac.

• Kada je instalacija dovršena, svakako kliknite okvir za Pokreni ExcelPasswordRecovery.exe^{(Run ExcelPasswordRecovery.exe)} prije nego što kliknete Završi^(Finish) . ExcelPasswordRecovery.exe je također naziv softvera, Dr.Excel .

• Prvi korak je dodavanje dotične datoteke. To možete učiniti klikom na Dodaj datoteku^{(Add File)} u gornjem desnom kutu. 
• Korak 2 omogućuje odabir vrste napada. Opisi su prilično razumljivi. Vrsta napada ovisi o vrsti lozinke koju ste koristili.

Tako, na primjer, ako se sjećate da ste koristili stvarno jednostavnu lozinku, ali se ne sjećate koja je to lozinka bila, možda ćete htjeti upotrijebiti rječnički napad^{(Dictionary Attack)} kako bi koristio češće riječi. Također biste mogli preferirati Brute-Force s napadom maskom^{(Brute-Force with Mask Attack)} koji može potrajati manje vremena. 

Imajte na umu da ćete morati kliknuti na Postavke^(Settings) kako biste odabrali pojedinosti povezane s vrstom napada.

• Ako ne kliknete na Postavke, ^(Settings,) Dr.Excel je dovoljno dobar da vas podsjeti da to učinite i nakon što kliknete OK možete se vratiti i kliknuti na Postavke^(Settings) .

• Sada ste spremni za početak napada. Imajte na umu da, bez obzira na to koliko je temeljit ovaj softver, može potrajati. Lozinka na testiranoj datoteci bila je lozinka^(password) , a s više od šest znakova bilo je potrebno nekoliko sati da se razbije. Dakle, jednostavnost nije pokazatelj koliko dugo treba.

PassFab ($19.95/yr)

Još jedno popularno softversko rješenje je PassFab .

Ako se okrenete ili ne obraćate pažnju, vaš zadani preglednik može se otvoriti s potvrdom da je softver uspješno instaliran. Stranica je passfab.com , ista stranica koja je razvojni programer softvera i odvedeni ste izravno na Brzi vodič^{(Quick Guide)} za pomoć. 

Kada završite s web-stranicom, vratite se na proces instalacije i kliknite gumb Završi^(Finish) da otvorite program.

• Na sljedećem zaslonu imate mogućnost kliknuti Dodaj^(Add) i odabrati datoteku zaštićenu lozinkom koju želite razbiti (ili ukloniti lozinku).

Na tom istom zaslonu, nakon što odaberete svoju datoteku, imate mogućnost odabrati koju vrstu napada želite upotrijebiti, s napadom rječnikom^{(Dictionary Attack)} , brutalnim napadom s maskom i napadom^{(Brute Force with Mask Attack)} grubom silom^{(Brute Force Attack)} .

Pitate li se što je GPU ubrzanje^{(GPU Acceleration)} ? To je jedinica za grafičku obradu^{(Processing Unit)} koja pomaže u upravljanju vizualnim aspektima računala na najučinkovitiji način. To je brži procesor od procesora vašeg računala i može znatno ubrzati napad.

Postavke na ovom^(Settings) zaslonu omogućuju vam prijenos prilagođenog rječnika. Dakle, ako imate ideju o tome što je lozinka, možda biste željeli navesti ove mogućnosti u svom prilagođenom rječniku.

Recimo da imate određenu lozinku koju redovito koristite i kada ste je prisiljeni promijeniti, dodajete joj broj ili poseban znak. Iako je lozinka nešto drugačija od one koju obično koristite, stvarnost je da je prilično ista. Ovo je vaša prilika da tu lozinku (i njezine varijacije) uključite u svoju prilagođenu rječničku datoteku kako biste ubrzali proces razbijanja lozinke u Excelu^(Excel) .

PassFab softver^(PassFab) koji je korišten za testiranje bila je probna verzija da se vidi radi li. Kao što možete vidjeti gore, softver je uspio probiti lozinku. Ili barem tako pretpostavljamo, na temelju broja znakova i prva dva znaka koja se podudaraju. 

Lozinka za ovu datoteku bila je lozinka^(password) kao što je prikazano u gornjem okviru s crvenim obrubom.

PassFab želi biti dovoljno ljubazan da vam pokaže da softver radi prije nego što morate potrošiti novac. Dostupne su brojne licencne opcije koje vam omogućuju da odaberete onu koja vam najviše odgovara. Zapamtite^(Remember) , iako je doživotna licenca dobra vrijednost, ako tvrtka prestane s poslovanjem, softver više neće dobivati ​​nadogradnje.

To nije predviđanje s PassFabom^(PassFab) , već komentar o prirodi licenciranja softvera općenito.

Excel Password Remover Pro (razlikuje se)^{(Excel Password Remover Pro (Varies))}

Konačni softverski paket (ili softverski paketi) ima dosta različitih vrsta i usluga, stoga svakako pročitajte opis prije nego što potrošite novac. Gornja slika prikazuje popis softvera koji je dostupan u vrijeme pisanja.

Plaćene online metode^{(Paid Online Methods)}

Postoje neke opcije dostupne putem internetskog pristupa. Postoje i opcije da pošaljete svoju datoteku kako bi drugi razbili umjesto vas i dali vam ponudu. Uključili smo polu-samoposlužne opcije dostupne online.

Password-Find.com (19.95/39.95)

Pronalaženje lozinke^{(Password-Find)} bila je opcija koju je predložio gornji softver Lastic — softver koji je pomogao u pružanju informacija o predmetnim datotekama kako bismo im mogli pristupiti obrazovano.

Grafika za upute je vrlo jasna. Na primjer, prvi korak je učitavanje datoteke koju želite razbiti ili ukloniti lozinku.

U drugom koraku, vrijeme je za odabir pristupa. U ovom slučaju, umjesto razmišljanja o vrsti^(type) ili metodi^(method) , gledate na ishod. To je još uvijek metoda/pristup, ali odlučite kakvu vrstu ishoda želite. Želite li ukloniti lozinku u Excelu^(Excel) ili otkriti koja je lozinka? 

Logično je da je preporuka ukloniti lozinku jer uvijek možete spremiti datoteku (ili ponovo spremiti datoteku) s drugom lozinkom, a taj pristup (uklanjanje lozinke) je brži. Ovo je metoda odabrana tijekom testiranja.

Programeri preporučuju drugu opciju (određivanje/pronalaženje lozinke) u slučajevima kada imate nekoliko datoteka i istu lozinku za sve. I to ima smisla jer ako koristite proces uklanjanja i imate 50 datoteka, morate proći kroz taj proces 50 puta.

Ali ako koristite metodu razbijanja na jednoj datoteci i potrebno je vrijeme za tri uklanjanja lozinke datoteke (samo broj na primjer radi), spremili ste količinu vremena koja bi bila potrebna za ostalih 47 datoteka jer ste shvatili tu lozinku za 50 datoteka.

Učinkovitost i brzina ovog konkretnog online rješenja bila je vrlo impresivna. Još uvijek postoji faza čekanja dok softver radi svoj posao, ali za testiranje naše Excel 2016 datoteke to su bile sekunde, a ne sati.

Vrijedi napomenuti da nam ovaj softver nije dao datoteku, već nam je dao priliku vidjeti nezaštićenu (lozinkom uklonjenu) datoteku. Dok nam je drugi softver dao djelomične preglede datoteke, u ovom slučaju mogli smo vidjeti cijelu datoteku u pregledu, dokazujući da radi.

Opcija je Pogledaj online^{(View online)} . I ne zaboravite kliknuti Izbriši^(delete) da biste uklonili datoteku kako ne biste ostavili svoje osobne ili poslovne proračunske tablice negdje na internetu.

Kao što vidite gore, postoje dvije opcije za kupnju koje nude različita rješenja ovisno o vašim potrebama.

Password-Online.com (10 EUR)

Posljednja online opcija je password-online.com . Kada posjetite stranicu, vidjet ćete Excel Password Recovery Online na traci izbornika iznad. Čini se da imaju jedinstveni proces u jednom koraku. 

U ovom trenutku možete prenijeti svoju šifriranu datoteku, baš kao što gumb kaže. Slijedite^(Follow) i na putu ste.

Od vas će se tražiti da unesete svoju e-poštu, dopuštajući im da vas obavijeste kada vaša datoteka bude spremna. Brzina kojom primate svoju datoteku ovisi o tome koliko je datoteka ispred vaše, razini složenosti i svim drugim čimbenicima koji mogu utjecati na one koji pružaju uslugu.

Iako je ova usluga po povoljnoj cijeni od samo 10 EUR , ne daje nikakvu procjenu koliko bi vremena moglo potrajati da se vaša datoteka završi. Možda ćete se osjećati bolje platiti malo više uz neke druge opcije ako želite više kontrole nad procesom.

How to Remove, Crack, or Break a Forgotten Excel XLS Password

It can be really frustrаting when you go to use a password-protected resource and you have forgotten the password. Eνen online membership sites can be fruѕtrating enough. But if it is a project in a password-protected Excel document, and you then forgot the password – it can be an unwelcome roadblock in your progress.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to remove a password from Excel. If you want your document password-protected, you may want to re-save and protect it after you have cracked it. But for this article, we will be focusing on the cracking part.

Some Terminology

Removing the password from Excel refers to just that – making the file such that it does not have a password anymore. Breaking the password is again, like it sounds, breaking the password so you can gain access to the file. That could be a case where the password is broken on its way to removal or broken on its way to being cracked. 

Yes, cracked sounds like broken but think hack. In the case of cracking a forgotten password, you are figuring out what the password is, so you can gain access to the file.

Limitations

Many software programs and the multitude of other options available will only result in a dead end or limitation of some sort. For example they will work for Excel 2007 but not for Excel 2016 or Mac. Or they will work for protection within the worksheet but not if you cannot open the file (open password). 

Interestingly, software options that will work for those items (i.e. Excel 2016, open password, Mac, etc.) will also work for the older Excel programs. 

So, why buy two programs or have to buy one program for the new files and clutter up your computer with a free program for the older files when you don’t need it?  It makes sense to get the right program that solves your problem. And while *free* is wonderful, $9-30 is not an absolutely horrible price, not when you consider a lot of valuable (and needed) software runs $300-500.

Too keep it simple, here are some *free* options that might remove the password from Excel, saving you from having to pay or even install anything. Later we will consider some paid software solutions.

Free Methods

The following are some methods that you can try that might allow you to keep your wallet closed. No guarantees, but it is a place to start. Keep in mind two things:

1. If you are short on time or want an easier route, you might want to go straight to the paid solutions (software).
2. The Excel encryption prior to 2013 was quite simplified. That means it is easier to crack a worksheet that was protected prior to 2013. Again, if you want to skip the hassle, for a newer version of the worksheet (newer version of Excel) you might want to skip the free versions and go straight for the paid.

No matter what, don’t forget to make a backup of the file. More than one backup can be wise. Crack a copy of the file so you can ensure that there is no corruption or damage to the original file. Most of these software methods and free methods do not damage the file but it is better to err on the side of caution.

Two VBA Script Methods

The idea of using a VBA script is to work around the password checking mechanism of Microsoft Excel and break the Excel password. But you do it by fooling the program before the process starts, with the core scripting language of Visual Basic. 

It might seem the more geeky option but it is possibly the least involved method, so you might want to try it first.

Here is the VBA Script. As soon as you open the Excel Worksheet, access the Editor with Alt F11 (works on Mac, too), choose the file from the list and paste this script in the Declarations window.

Sub BreakPassword()

   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
      Exit Sub
   End If

   Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
   Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next

End Sub

After hitting the run button (F5) for the VBA script, give it some time and when the button becomes available again, you will know that the script has finished. 

There are a couple of possibilities. For example, in the Mac version, you can simply start editing the file. Other versions, like Windows, will give you a temporary password that you can use to unlock the document and start editing. At this point, you have the option to add a new password if you like and re-save the document with that password.

There is another excellent VBA Script method that takes the Excel file and recreates a copy of it without the password(s). You can copy/paste the VBA script from this page.

John the Ripper Option

Another option to remove a password from Excel is a more core approach, utilizing the terminal. It is the John the Ripper version. This is also an effective method for general password cracking and has been used effectively for decades. Some of the other methods, like the software method(s), are probably easier and more effective, especially for the newer versions of Excel. 

Also, if you have an older version of Excel (pre-2013) and you don’t mind typing, the VBA Script Method is effective. For the John the Ripper method, visit this site and scroll to the bottom for the how-to method/instructions.

XML/Zip Method (Pre-Excel 2013)

After you have made a backup of the file, you can proceed to use the XML/Zip method to crack it. 

• All you need to do is change the extension on the file from xls to zip so that Windows thinks that the file is now a zip file instead of an Excel file. This will allow access to the XML that exists (assuming the method works, which it may not).
• Extract the now-zip file and look for the XML file. It will be in the worksheets directory. 
• Within the file, search for the term sheetProtection and when you find it, remove the tag that encloses it. A tag usually starts with < and ends with >. You want to remove the entire tag, beginning to end. 
• Save the file (still zip). After saving the file, rename the zip extension to the original extension. You should be all set and able to open and work with the file. 

This method did not perform well and research says that it seems to only work for the older files.

Other (Gathering Information)

There is another password option that is recommended called Excel Password Recovery Lastic. It is an interesting option but when tested, it failed to impress, never making any headway. 

That said, there is some helpful information that may be gleaned by using the program even if it doesn’t complete the process of password cracking (or removing).

• After downloading the software, double-click on it and go through the process of installing it on your Windows machine. 
• Opening the program will bring you to a window that looks like the one shown above, after it has done a scan of your machine.

The program is useful in that it finds the Excel files that may need some help, meaning those that are password-protected. 

You’ll notice that the first file in the list above is a pre-2013 file with an extension of xls and the Password to open shows <CSP>. The other two files are 2016 files and show the extension of xlsx and the Password to open of <strong>.

The password for the first file in the list is password. It was set this way to keep the testing simple. However, even with an easy password, and more importantly, weak encryption (because of the version of Excel software), the Excel Password Recovery Lastic tool still recommended that another option be tried. It recommended a visit to Password-Find, which you can find more details about below.

The other files (xlsx) also received the same recommendation, which was expected. If the software could not process the easiest file then it wouldn’t be expected to process the Excel 2016 file.

Now, here is where this software may be helpful. If you have an Excel spreadsheet and you know it is password protected but you are not sure to what extent, you could let Excel Password Recovery Lastic find the file (when it does its automatic scanning when you open the program) and then tell you what type of protection the file has (see above image). 

You’ll notice that in the image above, it shows the <CSP>, as we mentioned earlier, helping us to know what version of file (beyond that little file extension help, looking at whether it is xls or xlsx).

Every little bit of information helps. By using this software tool, you can, at least, figure out whether the Excel file is an open password or modify password or both, or some other combination.

The image above shows a different file type. Knowing what type of protection the file has (as well as version), can isolate what type of password cracking is needed, and this might save us time, energy, and possibly money. 

This software may not have done the deed (cracked the file) but it helped to understand the file and what steps to take next.

Paid Software Methods

No matter what method you choose to use to remove the password from Excel, it is helpful to make a backup of the Excel file just in case any corruption occurs in the process. Generally, you can simply duplicate the unopened file. There are also other methods of backup and it is fine to make a couple of backups, just to be safe.

Dr.Excel ($29.95)

iSeePassword offers a software package for cracking Excel passwords. They also offer options for normal Windows passwords, so to some extent they are a one-stop-shop. 

Also, they are kind enough to offer a trial so that you can see if the program even works for you before you spend the money. There are enough options out there that you might want to ensure that the software you decide to use has a trial version, allowing you to evaluate before spending money.

• When the installation is complete, be sure to click the box for Run ExcelPasswordRecovery.exe before clicking Finish. ExcelPasswordRecovery.exe is also the name of the software, Dr.Excel.

• The first step is to add the file in question. You can do that by clicking on Add File in the upper right-hand corner. 
• Step 2 lets you pick the type of attack. The descriptions are pretty self-explanatory. The type of attack depends on what type of password you used.

So, for example, if you recall that you used a really easy password but you do not remember what that password was, you may want to use a Dictionary Attack so that it uses more common words. You may also prefer a Brute-Force with Mask Attack that might take less time. 

Keep in mind that you will need to click on Settings to choose specifics related to the attack type.

• If you do not click on Settings, Dr.Excel is nice enough to remind you to do so and after clicking OK you can return and click on the Settings.

• You are now ready to start the attack. Keep in mind that no matter how thorough this software is, it can take a while. The password on the file tested was password, and with over six characters, it took several hours to crack. So, simplicity is not an indicator of how long it takes.

PassFab ($19.95/yr)

Another popular software solution is PassFab.

If you turn away or are not paying attention, your default browser may open with a confirmation that the software was successfully installed. The site is passfab.com, the same site that is the developer of the software and you are taken directly to the Quick Guide for help. 

When you have finished with the website, return to the installation process and click the Finish button to open the program.

• On the next screen, you have the option to click Add and choose the password-protected file that you want to crack (or remove the password).

On that same screen, once you have selected your file, you have the option to choose what type of attack you want to use, with Dictionary Attack, Brute Force with Mask Attack, and Brute Force Attack.

Are you wondering what GPU Acceleration is? It is a Graphical Processing Unit that helps to manage the computer’s visual aspects in the most efficient manner. It is a faster processor than your computer processor and can speed up the attack considerably.

The Settings on this screen allows you to upload a customized dictionary. So if you have an idea of what the password is, you may want to list these possibilities in your customized dictionary.

Let’s say you have a particular password that you use regularly and when you are forced to change it you add a number or a special character to it. Though the password is somewhat different than what you usually use, the reality is that it is pretty much the same. This is your opportunity to include that password (and its variations) in your customized dictionary file to help speed up the process of cracking the password in Excel.

The PassFab software that was used for testing was a trial version to see if it worked. As you can see above, the software managed to crack the password. Or at least we are assuming so, based on the number of characters and the first two characters that match. 

The password for this file was password as shown in the above box with the red border.

PassFab wants to be nice enough to show you that the software works before you have to spend any money. There are a number of license options available, allowing you to choose the one that suits you best. Remember, that while a lifetime license is good value, if the company goes out of business the software will no longer receive upgrades.

That is not a prediction with PassFab but rather a comment on the nature of software licensing in general.

Excel Password Remover Pro (Varies)

The final software package (or software packages) are quite a few different types and services, so be sure to read the description before spending money. The image above shows a listing of the software that is available at the time of writing.

Paid Online Methods

There are some options available via online access. There are also options to submit your file for others to crack for you and give you a quote. We included the semi-self-serve options available online.

Password-Find.com (19.95/39.95)

Password-Find was the option suggested by the Lastic software above — the software that helped to provide information about the files in question so that we could take an educated approach to them.

The graphics for the instructions are very clear. For example, the first step is to upload the file that you want cracked, or password removed.

In step two, it is time to select the approach. In this case, instead of thinking of type or method you are looking at the outcome. It is still a method/approach but decide what type of outcome you want. Do you want to remove the password in Excel or figure out what the password is? 

It makes sense that the recommendation is to remove the password since you can always save the file (or re-save the file) with another password, and that approach (removing the password) is faster. This was the method chosen during testing.

The developers recommend the other option (determining/finding the password) in cases where you may have several files and the same password for all of them. And that makes sense because if you use the removal process and you have 50 files you have to go through that process 50 times.

But if you use the cracking method on one file and it takes the time of three file password removals (just a number for example sake), you have saved the amount of time it would have taken for the other 47 files because you have figured out that password for the 50 files.

The effectiveness and speed of this particular online solution was very impressive. There is still a waiting phase while the software does its work, but for testing on our Excel 2016 file it was seconds, not hours.

It is worth noting that this software did not give us the file but rather gave us the opportunity to view the unprotected (password removed) file. While other software gave us partial views of the file, in this case we were able to see the complete file in the preview, proving that it worked.

The option is View online. And remember to click delete to remove your file so as not to leave your personal or business spreadsheets on the internet somewhere.

As you can see above, there are two options for purchase, offering different solutions depending on your needs.

Password-Online.com (10 EUR)

The final online option is password-online.com. When you visit the site, you will see Excel Password Recovery Online in the menu bar above. It appears that they have a one-size-fits-all, one step process. 

At this point, you can upload your encrypted file, just like the button says. Follow along and you are on your way.

You’ll be required to enter your email, allowing them to notify you when your file is ready. The speed at which you receive your file depends on how many files are ahead of yours, the level of complexity, and any other factors that may impact those providing the service.

Though this service is well priced at only 10 EUR, it gives no estimate on how long your file might take to complete. You might feel better paying a little extra with some of the other options if you want more control of the process.

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