[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
If you work with sensitive or confidential information you probably found our article on How to password protect an Excel file useful. However, what if you wanted to remove this restriction and give users their access back? Here we will illustrate the several ways in which you can remove the password from the Excel file and a single sheet, based on the two most typical scenarios: knowing\/remembering and not knowing\/forgetting your password.<\/p>\n
If you work with online spreadsheets, then you may want to read how to password-protect a Google Sheet<\/a> as the procedure is different. On the other hand, Microsoft 365 plans also include Microsoft OneDrive, the online counterpart to Google Drive, which has its own Personal Vault feature<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now, let’s explore the different ways you can remove your password protection from Excel in order to grant editing privileges.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”how-to-remove-a-password-from-excel” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n In this section, we will cover the four different scenarios on how to remove a password from Excel: knowing the password of the Excel file, not knowing the password of the Excel file, knowing the password of the Excel sheet, and not knowing the password of the Excel sheet.<\/p>\n The screenshots below were taken in Excel for Mac, and the same steps work in Excel for Windows (Excel 2016 and later, including Microsoft 365). If you are working with older versions of Excel, we recommend visiting Microsoft support<\/a>.<\/p>\n The following steps are applicable to removing a password to open and modify an Excel file if you remember the password:<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Open the Excel file and enter the password set to open.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-password-to-open.webp” alt=”Remove password from Excel \u2014 Mac Password dialog saying the workbook is protected, with an empty Password field” title_text=”Mac Password dialog saying the workbook is protected, with an empty Password field” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Next, enter the password set to modify:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-password-to-modify.webp” alt=”Remove password from Excel \u2014 Password-protected dialog asking for the password to edit the file or open it read-only” title_text=”Password-protected dialog asking for the password to edit the file or open it read-only” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Once you have accessed the file, there are two ways in which you can remove it. The first will be explained through Step 3-6; the second through Step 7-9:<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Go to the “File” tab and select “Passwords” from the drop-down menu. On Windows, go to File > Info > Protect Workbook > Encrypt with Password instead.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-file-menu-passwords.webp” alt=”Remove password from Excel \u2014 File menu open with Passwords highlighted at the bottom” title_text=”File menu open with Passwords highlighted at the bottom” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> A window will appear with both password fields filled in; \u201cPassword to open\u201d, and \u201cPassword to modify\u201d. If you wish to decrypt the Excel file fully, then delete both.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-file-passwords-dialog.webp” alt=”Remove password from Excel \u2014 File Passwords dialog with Password to open and Password to modify filled in” title_text=”File Passwords dialog with Password to open and Password to modify filled in” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> Once deleted, click \u201cOK\u201d:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-passwords-deleted.webp” alt=”Remove password from Excel \u2014 File Passwords dialog with both password fields empty and the OK button” title_text=”File Passwords dialog with both password fields empty and the OK button” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 6.<\/strong> To see if it worked, save the changes, then close and re-open the file.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-save-changes.webp” alt=”Remove password from Excel \u2014 prompt asking to save changes to the workbook, with the Save button” title_text=”Prompt asking to save changes to the workbook, with the Save button” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The following steps show how to remove it with the “Save As” option:<\/p>\n 7.<\/strong> Repeat Steps 1-3, but this time select \u201cSave As\u201d from the \u201cFile\u201d drop-down menu:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-file-menu-save-as.webp” alt=”Remove password from Excel \u2014 File menu open with Save As highlighted” title_text=”File menu open with Save As highlighted” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 8.<\/strong> The following window will pop up. Click on \u201cOptions\u2026\u201d.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-save-as-options.webp” alt=”Remove password from Excel \u2014 Save As dialog with Excel Workbook (.xlsx) format and the Options button” title_text=”Save As dialog with Excel Workbook (.xlsx) format and the Options button” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 9.<\/strong> Simply delete both fields for \u201cPassword to open\u201d and \u201cPassword to modify\u201d. Then, click \u201cSave\u201d.<\/p>\n Although in some cases the “Protect Workbook” (see image below) option is shown as an alternative to protecting an Excel file, it only restricts users from editing the workbook<\/a> \u2013 users can still view it. If you don\u2019t want users to see the data contained in the spreadsheet, you either need to encrypt the data as explained in How to lock cells in Excel, or learn How to password protect an Excel file, which requires a password to open.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-protect-workbook.webp” alt=”Remove password protection from Excel \u2014 Review tab with the Protect Sheet and Protect Workbook buttons” title_text=”Review tab with the Protect Sheet and Protect Workbook buttons” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Imagine that you want users to view the data contained in the Excel file, but want to avoid any modifications or alterations to a specific sheet. Sheet protection does that, and this is how you remove it when you no longer need it.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Open the Excel file you wish to unprotect at sheet level.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Go to the \u201cReview\u201d tab and click on \u201cUnprotect Sheet\u201d.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-unprotect-sheet.webp” alt=”Remove password protection from Excel \u2014 Review tab with the Unprotect Sheet button” title_text=”Review tab with the Unprotect Sheet button” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Enter the password set to protect the sheet and click \u201cOK\u201d.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-sheet-password.webp” alt=”Remove password protection from Excel \u2014 Password dialog for unprotecting the sheet, with Cancel and OK” title_text=”Password dialog for unprotecting the sheet, with Cancel and OK” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> You should be able to see the “Protect Sheet” button again. If you only want others to edit part of the sheet, you can also unlock specific cells in Excel<\/a> before protecting it again.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-protect-sheet-again.webp” alt=”Remove password protection from Excel \u2014 Review tab showing the Protect Sheet button again” title_text=”Review tab showing the Protect Sheet button again” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n So far, we have seen how to unprotect an Excel file and sheet by using the originally set password. However, what if you forget the password? Before attempting to enter the wrong password too many times, this process can be simplified or more achievable through third-party tools.<\/p>\n In order to remove password protection from your Excel files when you\u2019ve forgotten the password, here is a list of tools you can use. Only use them on files you own or have permission to unlock.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> iSeePassword<\/a> for Windows or Mac is a third-party tool that requires installation and registration. If the password to be removed exceeds a three-character length, it will prompt you to register for an upgraded version.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-iseepassword.webp” alt=”Remove Excel password without the password \u2014 iSeePassword Dr.Excel trial message asking to upgrade” title_text=”ISeePassword Dr.Excel trial message asking to upgrade” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> An alternative method is to use Password-Find<\/a>, an online service that requires no installation on your end since the task will be done on their server. The steps are straightforward and simple to follow. However, it may not consider your document to contain any vulnerable information. If this is the case, it will prompt you to use their supercomputer for recovery. This would take longer.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remove-password-from-excel-password-find.webp” alt=”Remove Excel password without the password \u2014 Password-Find message offering supercomputer recovery with Yes and No” title_text=”Password-Find message offering supercomputer recovery with Yes and No” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Another alternative requires no installation: you simply need to follow the steps outlined by ExcelSuperSite.<\/a> This last alternative may require you to install software to unzip the file, such as 7-Zip<\/a> on Windows. On a Mac, the built-in Archive Utility does the same job.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”conclusion” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Removing password protection from your Excel files is an extremely important process to learn if you want to have complete control over your spreadsheet data. By the end of this article, you should be able to remove a password from an entire Excel file or sheet. You should also be able to remove the password protection in circumstances where you have forgotten the passwords, using the list of third-party tools we have provided.<\/p>\n That being said, we highly recommend that you keep all of your passwords safe when choosing to protect your Excel files. This will avoid the risk of a lock-out situation, which will take a lot of time and money to rectify. Moreover, always try to update or change passwords every once in a while and keep track of users that will require access to the file for editing purposes. Having the whole file or sheet password-protected can also delay your workflow and decrease productivity.<\/p>\n If you share protected workbooks with a team, see how to share an Excel file<\/a> and what to do when an Excel file is locked for editing<\/a>. And if you protect sheets mostly to stop others from overwriting your data, Sheetgo<\/a>, an AI-powered data automation platform, can send each person only the data they need in a file of their own.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Aprenda a remover a prote\u00e7\u00e3o por senha no Excel: desbloqueie um arquivo ou uma planilha quando voc\u00ea sabe a senha e veja o que tentar se a esqueceu.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":265828,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-265813","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-excel-features"],"acf":[],"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=265813"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265813\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/265828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=265813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=265813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=265813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}How to remove a password from Excel?<\/h2>\n
How to remove password protection from an Excel file?<\/h3>\n
How to unprotect an Excel sheet?<\/h3>\n
How to remove password protection from an Excel file and sheet (without password)?<\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n