Microsoft Excel is an excellent tool for data keeping and most importantly it provides features such as read-only and password encryption for the protection and security of Excel worksheets and spreadsheets. It allows prevention of unauthorized viewing, modification and deletion of Excel files. If you are one of those people who has forgotten their password and locked out of their important files, then worry no more. We will introduce some of the best Excel password recovery free programs which you can use to recover your password and unlock your Excel workbooks and spreadsheets.
01: PassFab for Excel - Best Excel Password Recovery Software
I've introduced some of the best Excel password recovery free online programs and also Excel password recovery software free download links above. All of them have some pros and cons, if you are looking for a single all in one solution then try using PassFab for Excel tool. The speed of cracking depends on the length and complexity of password however it is optimized to perform at the maximum speed possible.
- Support almost every version of Microsoft Excel files
- Simple and easy to user interface
- Remove both workbooks and spreadsheets password
- Recover workbook open password
- Offer 3 types of unlocking methods
- Break the latest 128-bit AES encryption with brute attacks
- Support all Windows systems
- Not free but has a free trial
This is step by step procedure on how to use this program:
Step 1: Open the Excel password recovery program. You will see below interface, Now click “+” button to import Excel spreadsheet whose password you want to recover.
Step 2: There are 3 types of attack available, Brute force, Brute force with mask, Brute force with dictionary. Choose the attack type and set parameters accordingly.
Note: Dictionary Attack can be used when you already have a dictionary file, Brute force with Mask attack let you crack the password with whatever you remember, Brute force attack will try all the combinations to unlock the password.
Step 3: Click "Recover", this will initiate brute force attack, it may take time according to password length and complexity.
Step 4: Your password will be cracked once the attack is complete and a window will pop up having the password.
Here is a video tutorial about how to use this Excel password recovery tool from PassFab:
02. GuaExcel
This program can decrypt up to 40-bit encryption and supports older version of Microsoft Excel files. It comes with both free and paid unlocking services.
- It is free
- 40-bit decryption supported
- works with Excel 97/2000/2002/2003
- Free version takes days to unlock the file
Price: Free/ 2-150 pounds
Platform: Windows PC
Download:
http://www.password-crackers.com/crack/guaexcel.html
03. Excel Password Recovery Master
It can unlock your Excel worksheets and spreadsheets password very quickly with cloud based decipher technology. It supports vast versions of Microsoft Excel and provides a user friendly interface.
- It is free
- Cloud based fast deciphering technology
- Supports multiple languages
- Premium services require money
- Only support Microsoft Excel version from 97-2013
- Not so friendly user interface
Price: Free
Platform: Windows PC
Download:
http://www.rixler.com/excel_password_recovery.htm
04. Infixi Excel Password Unlocker
This tool works great for unlocking Excel files and it has exclusive features like auto shutdown pc, resume capability and supports large number of Excel versions
- Free of cost
- works with Excel 97-2007
- Multi-processor support
- Different attack modes
- Supports Windows 7 only
Price: Free
Platform: Windows PC
Download: http://www.infixi.com/excel-password-recovery.html
05. Password Protection Remover Pro
This free Excel Add-in is optimized for speed and can crack open your Excel file in no time, it supports workbook, chart sheet and spreadsheet password removal
- Free to use
- Excel worksheet, chart sheet, workbook structure and shared password removal
- The add-in works in Excel 2007 and in both Excel 2010, 2013, 2016 x32 and x64 bit versions
- Binary XLSBorlegacy XLSfiles must be saved in XLSX or XLSM file format before being unprotected.
- Lostfile-to-openpasswords cannot be cracked due to advanced AES encryption used by Excel 2007 or later. However, encrypted files can be decrypted without being opened in Excel using known passwords.
Price: Free/Premium
Platform: Windows PC
Download: https://www.spreadsheet1.com/password-protection-remover-free-office-excel-add-in.html
06. Excel Password Remover Macro
You can Recover Microsoft Excel 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013 with this add-in, no need to download separate software.
- Free to use
- No need for downloading whole software
- Supports Excel 2003,2007,2010 and 2013
- It only supports password removal by macro
- No brute force method is used
Price: Free
Platform: Windows PC
Download:
http://www.excelbee.com/excel-password-remover
07. Excel Password Recovery Online
Thi tool works purely online, so there is no need to download any program or add-in on your computer. It can decrypt 40-bit protection in matter of seconds.
- Free to use
- 40-bit fast decryption
- Supports Excel 97, 200 and 2003
- No need to downlaod on PC
- Less time is required to crack password
- Don't support latest version of Excel
Price: Free
Platform: Windows PC
Download: https://www.password-online.com/Excel_Password_Recovery_Online.php
08. Stellar Phoenix Excel Password Recovery
Stellar Phonenix Excel Password Recovery is proficient Excel password decryption tool which can unlock "password to open and modify" both, supports workbooks and spreadsheets and uses brute force attack for decryption.
- Free to use
- Unlock "password to open" and "password to modify"
- Support MS Excel 2000,2002,2003 and 2007
- Don't support latest version of Excel
Price: Free
Platform: Windows PC
Download: https://www.stellarinfo.com/password-recovery/excel-password-recovery.php
09. Easy Excel Password Recovery
This is another brute force based password recovery tool but the process can be aided in this program by typing in part of password you remember, it will allow this program to unprotect Excel sheet more quickly.
- Free to use
- User aided brute force attack available
- Don't support latest Windows OS
Price: Free
Platform: Windows PC
Download: https://download.cnet.com/Easy-Excel-Password-Recovery-Free/3000-2077_4-10908132.html
10. Accent Excel Password Recovery
This supports 3 modes of brute force attacks, dictionary based, simple, and masked brute force. It can brure force Excel password to modify spreadsheets and VBA projects instantly.
- 3 modes of brute force available
- supports VBA project unlocking
- works on Excel 95-2013
- Only demo is available for free
Price: Free demo
Platform: Windows PC
Download: https://passwordrecoverytools.com/tool_excel.asp
Bottom Line
These were some of the best Excel password recovery online free and offline free programs you can use to recover your password protected file. We've also recommended our personal favorite at the end which is an all in one Excel password recovery tool. If you want to unlock your important Excel files, then try the programs listed above for best results.