Excel file protection with password and encryption. How to password protect an Excel file and remove protection

Excel allows you to use a password to restrict user access to documents at different security levels.

There are 3 basic types of password protection for Excel files:

1. Protecting document opening.
2. Protection against changes to data in a document.
3. File encryption.

How to protect a file

For a clear example, let’s set several passwords for 1 document, using different types of protection:

Note. In the General Settings window, each option functions independently. For example, you can only set a password to open a document or only check the option to permanently reserve a copy of the document, etc.

Description of the functions of the General Settings window parameters:

1. Always create a backup. When saving a document along with the original main *.xlsx file, a backup file with the *.xlk extension is created in the same directory. In fact, this is a complete copy of the source file with all its saves in the process of working with the document.
2. Password to open the file. If a password is entered, it will be requested each time the document is opened. Until the user enters the correct password, the document will not open. And the data will not be available even for reading.
3. Password for changing the document. If the document is protected with this password, it will open in read-only mode. Data can be viewed, but cannot be changed.
4. Recommend read-only access. If this option is enabled, then each time you open a document, a dialog box will be displayed with a recommendation to view it in reading mode. But the user will be able to choose in which mode to open the document: full access or read-only.

Note. The “Tools” button and the “General settings” option in the document saving dialog box are also available in other programs included in the MS Office package (Word, PowerPoint, etc.). The interface for setting general parameters is slightly different from Excel, but in general everything is intuitive and similar.



Encrypting a file with a password

To make Excel more secure against hacking, you should use the built-in workbook encryption function. After all, there are programs that allow you to remove protection from an Excel file. For example, such as Advanced Excel Password Recovery. This program has an innocent description: “the program is designed to recover forgotten passwords for Excel files.” But we all understand perfectly well the main purpose of this software.

To encrypt files, select the tool: “File” - “Information” - “Protect book” - “Encrypt with password”. In the Document Encryption window, enter a password for maximum file protection in Excel.

Attention! For maximum reliability, pack encrypted Excel files into archives with a password and maximum compression. This will be an even more reliable way to protect information in documents. Also use complex and long passwords using special alt code characters. For example, the code Alt+3 (on the numeric keypad) = .

Protecting the book structure

Excel allows you to password protect files either as a whole or in individual parts. Now let's deal with selective (selective) document protection.

Note. To solve this problem, you can go another way: “File” - “Information” - “Permissions” - “Protect book structure”.

If the structure of the book is password protected, this means that you cannot:

1. Move, delete, copy, rename all existing sheets.
2. Insert (create) new sheets and even chart sheets.
3. Transfer or copy sheets to other books.
4. Show hidden sheets.
5. Limiting some operations performed using VBA macro code.

Helpful advice. Workbook structure protection is often used to prevent the display of hidden sheets that store simple databases for: simple applications created using Excel or drop-down lists, etc.

Many people put passwords on certain documents. If the file has not been used for a long time, the secret word may be forgotten. It’s not always possible to remember it, but there are still ways to open the document.

Let's look at how you can remove a password in an Excel file.

Removing the password in an Excel file using a script

You can open a password-protected document using the free VBA script Excel Password Remover. After downloading the program, you need to run it. The utility will immediately integrate into Excel, which will display a message about running the macro. You can safely run it, after which you should open your password-protected file and select “Straxx” from the Excel menu.

The important thing is that the script does not attempt to crack the Excel password by selecting random phrases; it disables the security call in the document from the inside, which is much simpler. The entire procedure takes about 2 minutes.

Removing the password from an Excel document manually

You can remove the password in an Excel file or manually.

1. To do this, you need to open the document, go to the “File” tab, select “Information”, and then in the list that opens, the “Permissions” heading.
2. In a new window, click “Encrypt with password”, after which a window will open in which the previously entered password will be displayed. You need to delete it and click on the OK button.
3. Close the document. The application will ask you to save the changes, you must click on the "Yes" button.
4. Run the document again and you will see that Excel will not require you to enter a password.

How to crack a password in Excel: an easy way

Sometimes you need to make sure that no one else gets access to a document. This can be quite difficult to do if several people use the same device. This article will describe how to install protection on files using standard tools, as well as how to remove protection if the user no longer needs it.

Setting a password in Office 2003

In the 2003 office, to install protection on Word and Excel, you need to go to service menu, and then proceed to options. On the security tab, you can set protection that will allow other people to view the file and a code that will allow you to edit the document.

After this all that remains is apply changes and the file will become protected from viewing and editing.

Password protection in office 2007

Here you have to go to main menu, which is launched when you click on the round button in the upper left corner. Here in the section " Prepare", there will be an item "", you need to click on it to open the settings window.

Next, you need to enter a set of characters, which will become the cipher. You can delete it by going into the file, entering the security sequence, and then you need to go into this setting again. After which, instead of the cipher, you will need to enter an empty combination, i.e. do not enter anything.

Setting a password on Word and Excel 2010, 2013, 2016

To encrypt data, you will need to go to Main menu, go to the details section, and then select document protection and encrypt with password.

In the next menu you need to enter the encryption combination.

To remove the protection, you will need to go into the file, go to the same settings item, and leave the security combination empty.

This standard encryption method will protect the user’s data from viewing and editing; only those people to whom the user gives the combination will be able to access it. It’s not so easy to crack them; there are no built-in tools for resetting the cipher, all that remains are ordinary brute-force programs, but they require a lot of resources and can work for a very long time. This is especially noticeable if the cipher consists of a large number of characters and is compiled according to all the rules, and does not represent any one word.

However, this is why the user himself needs to be more careful with passwords. If an important document is encrypted, then the combination should be one that the user will definitely not forget, because it will be very difficult to select it.

After creating a document in Excel, many people need to protect Excel with a password. There are different types of protection in Excel. You can protect an Excel sheet so that it cannot be copied or changed. You can put a password on an Excel file so that they cannot open and view it, or they can open it but cannot make changes. Sometimes you need to protect cells in Excel from copying and changes.

How to password protect Excel

To encrypt Excel, you need to click File - Details - Encrypt with password in the toolbar.

How to put a password on an Excel file

A small window will open in which you will need to write a password and click OK. Another window will open in which you will need to enter the same password again for confirmation. After this, to set a password on Excel, you will need to close it and confirm saving the changes. Now, when opening a file, you will need to enter a password, otherwise you will not see what is in this file.

To remove the password from protecting an Excel sheet, you need to know the password.

To remove the password from an Excel file, you will first need to open it using the password, and then click File - Details - Encrypt with password. A window will open in which you will need to remove the protection from Excel by deleting the password so that the password field remains blank and then click OK.

How to password protect an Excel file

To protect Excel from copying, click File in the toolbar and select Save As.

In Excel, password protection is triggered via File

A window called Saving Document will open. In this window, you need to click on Tools and select General Settings from the list that opens.

Excel Password Protection is in General Options

A window called General Settings will open in which there are two lines in which passwords are entered.

When setting an Excel password, you need to write it down somewhere so you don’t forget it

If you enter the password only in the first line, the file will be opened only with the password, but the documents can be changed.
If you enter the password in the second line, the file will open without a password, but it will not be possible to save this document with any changes made to it, but it will be possible to save this document with the changes under a different name. A saved document under a different name will be password protected only for opening the file, and there will no longer be a password for copy protection.
To remove protection in Excel, you will need to click the file again and select Save As, and then in the window called Saving Document, click Tools and select General Options from the list that opens. A window will open called General Settings in which you need to remove the protection in Excel by deleting all passwords in the form of dots so that the fields are blank and click OK.

How to Protect Cells in Excel

In some cases, it is necessary to protect Excel from editing and copying but still allow data to be entered into some cells. To do this, select the cells in which you want to enter data, hover the cursor over them and press the right mouse button. A context menu will open in which you need to select Format Cells. A window called Format Cells will open.

You need to remove Excel protection for the cells you selected.

In this window, on the Protection tab, uncheck the Protected cell box and click OK. After that, on the toolbar in Excel, go to the Review tab and click on Protect Sheet.

Protecting a sheet in Excel from copying

A window called Sheet Protection will open.
In this window, you need to uncheck all the boxes except for the Select unlocked cells item, and enter a password in the window to disable the sheet protection. By clicking the OK button, another window will open in which you need to enter the same password for confirmation and click OK. After this, it will be impossible to make any changes on this sheet, and it will also be impossible to select except those cells from which you previously removed the protection in the Format Cells window.
To unprotect an Excel sheet, go to the Review tab and on this tab click Unprotect Sheet.

Shows how to remove password from Excel sheet

A window called Unprotect Sheet will open. Now, in order to unprotect a sheet in Excel, you just need to enter a password and click OK. This way you can easily remove the password from Excel, and if necessary, you will need to set it again. However, if you close Excel and do not agree to save the changes, you will not be able to remove the password from Excel and the protection will remain enabled.

Video

This video shows how to protect a sheet from editing and copying while excluding individual cells.

Want to set or remove a password in an Excel file, but don't know how? Need to remove protection, but forgot your password? Or are you just interested in the nuances of hacking security in Excel?

The answers to these questions, practice and a little theory are below in this short article.

Want to go faster? Watch the 2 minute video. No extra words:

Setting an open password in Excel

There are two ways to set a password in Excel. They are not obvious to everyone, but they are expectedly simple.

See for yourself.

Method 1. When the document is finished...

1. go to the tab File
2. select menu Information
3. click
4. and select

In the window that appears, enter your password and confirm it to avoid typing errors.

Easy, simple and reliable!

You have just protected the file from opening - you have encrypted its entire contents with a password. This the most reliable method of protection, which is the most difficult to hack.

Valuable advice - don't lose your password!

Also via menu Intelligence You can also install other password protection - on the book and document pages. But keep in mind: protection of workbooks, pages, VBA macros is unreliable in all versions of Excel. Such protection is hacked instantly.

Method 2. The second method of setting a password is even simpler than the first.

Saving the document as usual (File - Save as)...

1. in the dialog box, click the button Tools
2. and select the menu item General Options

In the new window, enter your password and confirm it is correct by re-entering it.

Here you can set not only a password for opening a file, but also a password for writing changes (yes, it is also always hacked instantly).

Removing a Password in Excel

When password protection of a file is of no use, you can remove the password from the document and not worry about losing it.

The procedure for removing a password from Excel is similar to setting one.

Open the document and through the tab File...

1. call the password entry window (menu Information
2. click the button Protect Workbook
3. select item Encrypt with Password
4. just erase the password and click OK

The document saved after this will no longer have password protection.

Password recovery for Excel

Everything is easy and simple when the password is known. But what to do if the password is lost and important data is inaccessible?

The answer depends on the type of protection and the version of Excel in which the document was created.

There are three options:

Excel password recovery. Weak protection

Excel has different security options for different purposes. Passwords for some of them are found or deleted instantly, regardless of the complexity of the passwords themselves and the version of Excel.

Excel passwords that you can instantly find or remove:

• change record password
• page protection password
• workbook password
• VBA macro password
• opening password for Excel 6-95

There is a whole class of programs for recovering Excel passwords. It is difficult to single out any one of them - they all cope equally well with simple protection in Excel.

Excel 97-2003 password recovery. Reliable protection with a secret

Reliable protection in Excel documents of all versions (except for the ancient Excel 6-95) is a password for opening: the entire contents of the file are completely encrypted and without a password the document cannot even be opened.

Well, since the password is lost, we’ll look for the password, right?

No, that's not true! There is a secret.

In fact, it is not the password that encrypts the file, but encryption key- a special value that is obtained from tricky password transformations. You enter your password, Excel converts it into an encryption key and tries to decrypt the file. If the password is correct, then you gain access to the data. If the password is incorrect, the encryption key will be incorrect and the data will remain inaccessible.

It turns out that to open an encrypted Excel file, you can look for the password, or you can look for the encryption key.

And here is the secret - for Excel 97-2003 you need to look for the encryption key!

And that's why...

Different versions of Excel use different password-to-key algorithms to calculate the key. The key has a strictly defined length, which does not depend either on the complexity of the password or on its length.

In Excel 97-2003, the encryption key is fatally short - only 40 bits.

It takes a modern computer a day or two to try all 2 40 possible key values ​​and find the right one.

If there is a key, there will be no password!

There are not many programs that can do this. One of them is Accent OFFICE Password Recovery (in it this option is called “Search for a key”).

A couple of days to find the key is great, but how about a couple of minutes?

With the help of so-called rainbow tables this is possible!

In simple terms, a rainbow table is a multi-gigabyte database that stores pre-calculated values ​​for key verification. Searching the rainbow table for a control value takes A couple of minutes. The Excel document can then be instantly decrypted.

Neither the length of the password nor its complexity matters at all. A couple of minutes and that’s it - no password!

Rainbow tables are used by some manufacturers of password recovery software and in online services that decrypt any Excel file uploaded to them.

VerniDostup.ru is an example of such a service

Excel 2007-2013 password recovery. Perfectly reliable protection

The jokes and secrets ended with the advent of Excel 2007. Since then, the level of protection has been increasing, and the rate of password cracking has been decreasing with each new version of Excel.

The length of the encryption key has increased to 128/256 bits and it can no longer be found (it is simply impossible to sort through many options of 2,128 or 2,256). For the same reason, there are no rainbow tables for Excel 2007-2013.

All that remains is to act head-on - go through possible password options. In sequence.

And then they came to the rescue - video cards.

As it turned out, their power is suitable not only for ultra-realistic computer games, but also for many other tasks.

That's right, and to recover Excel 2007-2013 passwords too.

The speed of searching passwords on just one video card can increase tenfold, that is, your waiting time will decrease tenfold.

Of course great! Connect one or two or all video cards to the password search and reduce your waiting time.

But please note: not all Excel 2007-2013 password recovery programs work on video cards. And those that use them do not always do it at high speed. You'll have to search, test, choose...

Instead of a total

To summarize, we can say: if you want to truly protect your data, use an opening password in Excel 2007-2013 documents and never lose it.

Now you know how to set a strong password in two ways and know what to do if you lose it.

Check yourself or what I traded my time for

You have gained useful practical knowledge. You learned:

• set passwords in Excel 2007-2010-2013 documents in two ways
• remove password to open from Excel 2007-2013 files in a couple of clicks

You also gained a lot of theoretical knowledge that will help you right now or in the future. You learned:

• that Excel has a range of password protections that always hacks instantly
• what for password protected Excel 97-2003 need to look for the encryption key, not the password
• what to decrypt Excel 97-2003 documents there are online services
• What to find the password for opening Excel 2007-2013 documents need to use video cards
• What are the main criteria when looking for a program to recover Excel 2007-2013 password - support for video cards and password brute force speed