Disclaimer: This guide is intended for educational purposes only. Please do not use it to access or tamper with Excel files that are not yours. Use it only for your own files where you have forgotten the password.
What You'll Need
- A password-protected Microsoft Excel file
- Basic file explorer knowledge
- A text editor (Notepad++, VS Code, or similar)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make a Backup Copy of Your Excel File
Before making any changes, duplicate the file to avoid any accidental damage.
Step 2: Change the File Extension to .zip
- Right-click the Excel file and select Rename.
- Change the file extension from
.xlsxor.xlsmto.zip. - Confirm the change if prompted.
Example: myfile.xlsx → myfile.zip
Step 3: Open the ZIP File
- Right-click the
.zipfile and select Extract All, or open it using WinRAR, 7-Zip, or Windows Explorer. - Inside, navigate to the folder named:
xl/worksheets.
Step 4: Locate and Edit the Sheet XML File
- Open the file for the sheet you want to unlock (e.g.,
sheet1.xml) using a text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code. - Press
Ctrl + Fand search for:
<sheetProtection ... />
Delete the entire tag that starts with <sheetProtection ... />.
Step 5: Save and Repack the File
- Save the modified XML file.
- Replace the edited file back into the
.ziparchive, keeping the folder structure intact. - Rename the file back to
.xlsx.
Step 6: Open Your Excel File
Open the file in Excel — your sheet should no longer be protected!
Need Help?
Watch the full tutorial on YouTube here:
