Excel passwords

Home || Excel passwords

Excel password recovery

Password protected Excel files can be protected with different types of passwords, including:

File-open passwords - the most common and secure type
Workbook protection passwords
Worksheet passwords
Range passwords
VBA macro passwords

Each type of password generally requires a different recovery approach as each type offers a different level of security. All the types except for File-open passwords can generally be either recovered or bypassed easily.

File open passwords are the most secure type as Excel uses the password and an internal counter as keys to securely encrypt the file contents. File-open passwords are difficult to recover unless a common or short password was used. A long password may take hundreds of years to crack by trying every combination, and we instead recommend Decrytum's recovery service (which removes the password without having to recover it).

Password-find has independently tested a range of Excel password recovery software and have included reviews and trial downloads of the best versions available.

Check out our free guide for more information on recovering your Excel file.