Excel sheets often contain important data and files. However, sometimes these sheets are protected with a password, and if we forget this password, we cannot access these valuable sheets. It can be frustrating to not be able to access your files, but don’t worry, as there are ways to unprotect Excel sheets without password even on Mac. In this blog, we will discuss some easy methods to unprotect Excel Sheet without a password on Mac.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Unprotect Excel Sheet without Password Mac
The first challenge we face is obviously not having the password to access Excel sheets. The password protection works as a barrier to protect the data from unauthorized access. When we forget our password, there are chances that we lose significant data if we cannot unprotect the sheet. However, unprotecting Excel sheets without the password can seem overwhelming for many people. But not to worry, as we will discuss some step by step methods to unprotect Excel sheets without passwords on Mac.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we begin with the methods, it is important to ensure that we have a few basic things in place. Firstly, we need to make a copy of the password-protected Excel sheet, which we want to unprotect. It ensures that we don’t lose the original data and file. Secondly, we need to check the file extension. If it is ".xlsx," ".xlsm," or ".xlsb," we can unprotect it. However, if it is ".xls," we can not unprotect it through these methods. Lastly, it is recommended to save all the work and close other programs before we start the process.
Method 1: Using Online Services
Method 1 offers a simple solution for those who do not want to download any software and want to unprotect Excel sheets quickly. There are several online services available on the internet that can unprotect Excel sheets without passwords.
Here are the steps to follow for the method:
- Visit the website of the online Excel password remover. There are several services available, and you can choose the one that suits you the most.
- Upload the password-protected file to the website.
- Select the option that says: "Remove password."
- After the process is completed, download the unprotected Excel sheet.
Pros:
- It is a quick and easy method if you don’t want to download any software.
- It can also work for other Excel versions.
Cons:
- The online services can sometimes be unreliable and unsafe.
- The method will be dependent on the internet connection, and we might have to wait for the site to upload and download the file.
- There is always a risk of data theft when uploading a file to an unknown website.
Method 2: Using VBA Code
The second method is to use VBA Code, which is already present in all the Excel versions. VBA code is a programming code that allows us to modify the default functions of Excel. Unprotecting Excel sheets through VBA Code requires a little bit of coding knowledge, but it is an effective option.
Here are the steps involved in this method:
- Open the password-protected Excel sheet.
- Press on "Alt + F11" on the keyboard.
- On the new window that appears, double click on the worksheet that is protected.
- The code window will appear, where you have to enter the VBA code.
- Press F5 to run the Macro and exit the VBA editor window.
- Your Excel worksheet should now be unprotected.
Pros:
- It doesn’t require any additional software, and it is already available in all the Excel versions.
- VBA Code can save time, especially if you have many protected Excel sheets to unprotect.
Cons:
- This method requires coding knowledge and can be challenging for some users.
- The VBA Code can harm the Excel sheet if not performed correctly.
- You have to ensure that the macro security level is not too high for the code to run automatically.
Method 3: Using Password Recovery Tool
The third method involves using a password recovery tool. These tools are primarily developed to unprotect password-protected Excel sheets that we cannot access otherwise. This method is simple and user-friendly for those who do not have much coding knowledge.
Here are the steps involved in this method:
- Download and install the password recovery software on your Mac.
- Open the password-protected Excel sheet within the software.
- Select the attack type suitable for your file appearance.
- Click on the "Start" button to start the recovery process.
- After the process is complete, the password should be removed, allowing you to access the Excel sheet.
Pros:
- The method is user-friendly and can be suitable for those who do not have coding knowledge.
- The software offers different types of attacks that can be useful in different scenarios.
Cons:
- Some password recovery tools can be expensive and not affordable for everyone.
- There is a risk of data theft if the password-protected sheet contained sensitive data.
- The software can take a few hours to recover the password, depending on the complexity of the password.
Why Can’t I Unprotect My Excel Sheet?
Reason 1: The Excel sheet might be read-only.
Fix: In this case, you have to open the Excel sheet, go to File, Options, and in the General Tab, remove the mark for Read-only.
Reason 2: The Sheet is frozen.
Fix: If this is the case, you have to go to View, Freeze panes, and select the "Unfreeze panes" option.
Reason 3: The worksheet might be locked.
Fix: In this case, you have to go to the View tab, and in the Windows group, click on the Unprotect button, which will unprotect the sheet.
Additional Tips
- Always make a copy of the password-protected Excel sheet before unprotecting it to ensure you don’t lose the original data.
- Never enter false passwords as this may lead to loss of data.
- Make sure you download files from trusted sources and avoid using online unprotect Excel sheet sites that come with spam or viruses.
5 FAQs about How to Unprotect Excel Sheet without Password Mac
Q1: How can I protect my Excel sheet in the future?
A: To protect your Excel sheet, you can use the following steps:
- Click on Review in the Excel toolbar.
- Select the option "Protect sheet".
- Set the desired password and then click okay.
Q2: Can I recover the password for an Excel sheet?
A: There are many password recovery tools available on the internet that can help you recover your Excel sheet password. Some of the popular password recovery tools include PassFab for Excel, Excel Key, etc.
Q3: Can I unprotect an Excel sheet on Mac without losing my formulas and formatting?
A: Yes, all the methods suggested in this blog are safe to use and will not harm the formulas and formatting of the Excel sheet.
Q4: What can I do if my Excel sheet is protected by a password, and it is not allowing me to make any changes?
A: If you want to make changes to a password-protected Excel sheet, you need to unprotect the sheet first. Follow any of the methods mentioned in this blog to unprotect the sheet.
Q5: Can I apply the same method to unprotect an Excel sheet on Windows?
A: Yes, all the methods mentioned in this blog are applicable to unprotect Excel sheets on Windows too.
In Conclusion
Unprotecting Excel sheets without a password on Mac can be challenging, but with the right methods, it is not impossible. In this blog, we have discussed three methods to unprotect Excel sheets without passwords on Mac. Depending on your preference, you can choose the method that suits you best. It is important to ensure that we save our original Excel sheet and close all other programs before we begin the process. Always be cautious while downloading software from unknown sources, as it can contain viruses and lead to data theft. With the right tools and a little bit of patience, we can unprotect Excel sheets without a password.