Excel help - removi...
 

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[Closed] Excel help - removing password

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is there a way to remove the protection to a sheet/workbook, so I can edit it? There seem to be macros online that say they do it but don't seem to work. The usual some buffoon in work has written a workbook, locked it, and it's crap!

C


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 9:50 am
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Ask the buffoon for their password.

Look at it this way. Would you [i]want[/i] it to be that easy to crack a password, thus rendering them pointless?


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:06 am
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Can you just copy the contents of each sheet (not the worksheets themselves, that will keep the password) to a new workbook?


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:08 am
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is there a way to remove the protection to a sheet/workbook, so I can edit it?

You are a recruiter for GCHQ and I claim my five pounds.

Do i get the job?


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:12 am
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there used to be VBA methods for removing the password, but I dont think Ive ever used it on Excel later than 2003 or 2007. No idea if they've plugged the holes in 2010 and later but I wouldnt be surprised.

There were also keygen EXEs that could do it, but that's risky as you cant be too sure what you're installing.


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:16 am
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I saw the VBA things and that's what I've been trying. mmmm???

C


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:19 am
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Copy the contents to a new document if you can..
You ccoul run a brute force attack on the password but that could take days/weeks.. It'd be more efficient to just recreate the spreadsheet.


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:24 am
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I can usually do it, but not always...

Email me a copy if its suitable. It'll be a while til I'm sat at a pooter though...


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:26 am
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If you work where I work, all shared documents are password protected using the password "1". Worth trying the standard bad passwords.


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:28 am
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I use the VBA that one finds at the top of googled links. Never not been able to break a password (v 2010) although sometimes it may take two goes for it to work


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 10:32 am
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That VBA code worked this time (ver 2010). Maybe you just need to do it a few times?

C


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 11:19 am
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is there a way to remove the protection to a sheet/workbook, so I can edit it?

You dont need to go cracking passwords for this. Thats only for password protected access (ie opening) a workbook.

As others have said above, select the content of the sheet, copy, and paste to a new workbook.


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 11:19 am
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Do you know what vintage of excel was used to create/apply the password? There's possibly a different method depending on whether its xls or xlsx (or so a guy in the pub told me, apparently).
All that said, if you can view/copy the contents you are most of the way there anyway - you might be as well starting fresh?


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 11:21 am
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Convert to PDF.

Convert PDF to excel.

This might not work, it's just a guess.


 
Posted : 25/01/2016 12:47 pm
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Open Excel doc in Libre Office.


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 1:35 pm
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^ That works in Google sheets as well.


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 1:38 pm
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NB You can bypass the VBA password very easily, there's an App which just tells Excel it's been entered correctly and it just opens it for you...


 
Posted : 26/01/2016 3:05 pm

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