We have all been there: you have an old spreadsheet, you need to edit the data, but the sheet is locked, and the password is long forgotten. Excel offers no native "forgot password" option for individual sheets.
Open the XML file in Notepad and search for the tag . Delete the entire tag from < to /> . Save the file and place it back into the ZIP archive.
True cryptographic recovery requires dedicated software tools like PassFab, Passper, or John the Ripper. These programs use your computer’s CPU and GPU to guess the password using brute-force or dictionary methods. Note that if your password is long and complex, recovery can still take days or weeks. kutools for excel password work
Kutools includes a designed to automate the entry of passwords for files you already have access to:
When a workbook is encrypted with a password to open, Excel uses strong AES encryption. Third-party add-ins like Kutools cannot run inside Excel to open the file because Excel blocks the file from loading entirely until the correct decryption key is provided. We have all been there: you have an
If you are an accountant or project manager handling sensitive data, you often need to encrypt multiple workbooks. Doing this manually—opening File > Info > Protect Workbook > Encrypt with Password—for twenty different files is tedious.
Instead of navigating through Excel's options to unprotect the sheet (which requires the password), Kutools handles the unlocking process instantly, even if the worksheet structure is locked. Delete the entire tag from
is not just about locking files; it's about efficient security management. Whether you need to quickly protect sensitive data or need a reliable way to regain access to a protected sheet, the password tools within Kutools offer a robust solution. By automating these processes, Kutools enhances productivity and allows users to manage their workbooks with greater ease and flexibility.
Excel is an indispensable tool for data analysis and management, but its security features can sometimes become a bottleneck. Whether you’ve forgotten the password for a crucial worksheet or need to unlock a legacy workbook, the process can be incredibly frustrating. offers a suite of password-related utilities that streamline this process, allowing you to bypass security restrictions quickly and securely.