What removing a password from Excel actually means
When you remove a password from an Excel file, you are taking off the protection that prevents someone from opening the file without typing a password first. Excel has two different kinds of passwords: one that locks the file itself so nobody can open it without the password, and another that locks just the sheets inside so people can open the file but cannot edit the data. This guide covers removing the first kind — the password that blocks the file from opening at all.
The process is straightforward if you remember the password. If you do not remember it, there is no built-in way to recover it through Excel itself. You would need to use a third-party tool, which carries its own risks.
Key Takeaways
- If you know the password, you can remove it by opening the file, going to File > Info > Protect Workbook, and selecting "Encrypt with Password" to clear the field.
- The exact steps differ slightly between Excel on Windows, Excel on Mac, and Excel Online, so check which version you are using first.
- If you forget the password, Excel has no recovery option — third-party password removal tools exist but may not work on newer Excel files and carry security risks.
- Removing a password from a file you own is legal; removing one from a file you do not own without permission is not.
How to remove the password if you remember it
Open the Excel file and enter the password when prompted. Once the file is open, go to the File menu at the top left, then select Info. Look for a button or option that says Protect Workbook — the exact wording varies by version. Click it and select the option to encrypt with a password.
A dialog box will appear with a password field. Leave this field blank and click OK. Excel will ask you to confirm by leaving the password field blank again. Click OK a second time. The password is now removed. Save the file to make the change permanent.
On a Mac, the steps are similar: File > Info > Protect Workbook > Encrypt with Password, then leave both password fields blank. On Excel Online (the web version), the process is the same: File > Info > Protect Workbook, then clear the password field.
Why Excel does not let you recover a forgotten password
Excel passwords are encrypted, which means Excel itself cannot read them back to you — not even Microsoft can tell you what your password was. This is actually a security feature. It means that if someone steals your file, they cannot call Microsoft and pretend to be you to get the password.
The downside is that if you forget the password, you are locked out. Excel does not have a "forgot password" recovery option like Gmail or your bank does. You either remember it or you do not.
Third-party password removal tools and their limitations
Several companies sell software that claims to remove Excel passwords. These tools work by trying many password combinations very quickly, or by exploiting weaknesses in older Excel encryption. They are more likely to work on files created in Excel 2010 or earlier, and less likely to work on files from Excel 2013 onward.
Before using any of these tools, understand the risks. You are downloading software from a company you may not know well, and you are giving it access to your files. Some of these tools are legitimate; others contain malware or spyware. If the file contains sensitive information, using a third-party tool may expose that information. If you are considering this route, research the specific tool carefully and read recent user reviews.
A safer alternative: if the file belongs to your workplace, contact your IT department or the person who created it. They may have a record of the password or be able to recreate the file without the password protection.
The difference between file passwords and sheet passwords
Excel lets you password-protect the entire file (so it will not open without a password) or just the individual sheets inside it (so the file opens but the sheets are locked). If you can open the file but cannot edit it, you have a sheet password, not a file password. Removing a sheet password is different.
To remove a sheet password, open the file, go to File > Info > Protect Sheet, and enter the password. The sheet will unlock. You can then go back to the same menu and turn off sheet protection entirely if you want. Sheet passwords are generally easier to remove because they are meant to prevent accidental changes, not to find the file itself.
Legal and ethical considerations
You can remove a password from any Excel file you own or have permission to modify. If the file belongs to someone else and they did not give you permission to remove the password, doing so is not legal. This applies even if you have physical access to the computer or the file itself.
If you are trying to remove a password from a work file, ask your manager or IT department first. If you are trying to remove a password from a file a family member left behind, ask other family members or an executor if the person had a will. Removing a password without permission, even with good intentions, can create legal problems.
What to do if you need to password-protect a file going forward
If you are setting up password protection on a new file, use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write it down and store it somewhere safe — a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password is better than a sticky note on your monitor.
Remember that Excel passwords protect the file from being opened, but they do not encrypt the data inside. If someone steals your computer, they could potentially recover the file even with a password. For truly sensitive information, consider using a tool like VeraCrypt to encrypt the entire folder instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a password from an Excel file without opening it?
No. You must open the file with the correct password before you can remove the password. If you do not know the password, you cannot use Excel's built-in tools to remove it.
Will removing the password damage the file or the data inside?
No. Removing a password does not change the data, formulas, or formatting in the file. It only removes the lock that prevents the file from opening. The file itself remains intact.
What if I use a third-party tool and it does not work?
If a password removal tool fails, it usually means the file uses encryption that the tool cannot break. Newer Excel files (2013 and later) use stronger encryption that most third-party tools cannot crack. Your options are to contact the file owner, contact your IT department, or accept that you cannot open the file.
Is there a difference between removing a password and resetting it?
Yes. Removing a password means deleting it entirely so the file opens without any password. Resetting a password means changing it to a new one. In Excel, you cannot reset a password you forgot — you can only remove it if you know the current password, or use a third-party tool.
Can I remove a password from an Excel file on my phone?
Excel on phones (iOS and Android) does not have the same password management features as the desktop version. You would need to open the file on a computer running Windows or Mac to remove the password through Excel's built-in tools.