Best Free Tools for Easy Excel Password RecoveryRecovering a lost or forgotten Excel password can be frustrating — especially when a workbook contains important data you need now. Fortunately, several free tools and methods can help you regain access without paying for expensive software. This article walks through the best free options, how they work, their advantages and limitations, and step-by-step instructions so you can choose the right approach for your situation.
Important legal and ethical note
Attempting to bypass passwords on files you do not own or have explicit permission to access may be illegal. Only use the tools and methods described here on files you own or have been permitted to recover.
How Excel passwords work (brief)
Excel uses two different kinds of protection:
- Worksheet/workbook protection: Prevents editing or modifying sheets and is relatively weak. These protections can often be removed quickly with scripts or simple tools.
- File open (encryption) passwords: Used to encrypt the workbook so it cannot be opened without the password. Modern Excel versions (2007+) use strong AES-based encryption; recovering these passwords without the original password is computationally difficult and often impractical without knowing parts of the password or using powerful hardware.
Knowing which type of protection you’re dealing with helps pick the right tool or method.
Best free tools and methods
- Free open-source tools (Hashcat + office2john): Powerful but technical; good for encrypted files when you can supply dictionaries or rules.
- Free GUI tools (Free Word/Excel Password Recovery tools): Easier for non-technical users but often limited or bundled with restrictions.
- VBA/zip method: Simple, effective for removing worksheet/workbook protection in many cases for older Excel files (.xls, early .xlsx).
- Online services: Some sites claim to recover passwords for free; use caution with sensitive files — avoid uploading confidential documents.
- John the Ripper + office2john: Another strong open-source option similar to Hashcat, useful with custom wordlists and rules.
Tool 1 — Hashcat + office2john (advanced, for encrypted files)
Why use it: Hashcat is a fast, GPU-accelerated password recovery tool that supports Office document hashes when combined with office2john to extract the hash. It’s suitable when you have some idea of the password (dictionary, mask, or rule-based attacks).
Pros:
- Extremely fast with GPU acceleration.
- Highly customizable attacks (masks, rules, combinator).
Cons:
- Technical setup required.
- Requires a compatible GPU for best performance.
Basic steps:
- Install Hashcat and John the Ripper’s office2john script (or use office2john.py).
- Run office2john.py on the Excel file to extract the hash.
- Use Hashcat with appropriate hash mode and wordlists/masks to attempt recovery.
Example command (after extracting hash to hash.txt):
hashcat -m 9700 hash.txt wordlist.txt --force (modes vary; check Hashcat docs for the correct Office hash mode for your Excel version.)
Tool 2 — John the Ripper + office2john (advanced)
Why use it: John the Ripper is a versatile, open-source password cracker; good if you prefer its ecosystem or want CPU-based cracking.
Pros:
- Open-source and extensible.
- Works well with custom wordlists and rules.
Cons:
- Slower than GPU options.
- Still technical.
Basic steps:
- Use office2john.py to extract the hash.
- Run john with the hash and wordlist:
john --wordlist=wordlist.txt hash.txt
Tool 3 — VBA / Macro script (easy, for sheet/workbook protection)
Why use it: Quick and effective for removing worksheet/workbook protection in many legacy Excel files where protection is not encrypted strongly.
Pros:
- Simple, works within Excel.
- No external software required.
Cons:
- Doesn’t work on encrypted workbook open passwords (strong encryption in modern files).
- May fail on newer files or highly protected sheets.
Steps:
- Open a new Excel workbook.
- Press Alt+F11 to open the VBA editor.
- Insert a new module and paste a password-removal VBA script (many available; one common script iterates characters to reset protection).
- Run the macro to attempt to unprotect the target sheet.
Example VBA (simple approach — may not work on all files):
Sub RecoverSheetPassword() Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer Dim i1 As Integer, i2 As Integer, i3 As Integer Dim i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 As Integer On Error Resume Next For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66 For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66 For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66 For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66 ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & _ Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then MsgBox "Password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & _ Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) Exit Sub End If Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next MsgBox "Password not found" End Sub Tool 4 — Free GUI tools (for non-technical users)
Why use them: Easier interface; drag-and-drop recovery attempts for common scenarios.
Examples: There are free versions of tools like Free Word/Excel Password Recovery or PassFab (trial). They typically offer:
- Simple UI
- Basic dictionary/Brute-force options
- Limited speed or features in free editions
Caution: Some free GUI tools bundle adware or push paid upgrades. Download from reputable sites and scan installers.
Tool 5 — Online password recovery services (convenient but risky)
Why use them: Convenience — upload a file and let the service attempt recovery.
Pros:
- No local setup.
- Works for casual users.
Cons:
- Privacy risk: you upload file contents to a third party.
- Many services charge for full recovery.
- Avoid for sensitive/confidential files.
Choosing the right tool
- If the workbook uses simple sheet/workbook protection: try the VBA/macro method first.
- If it’s an encrypted file (open password) and you remember parts of the password: use Hashcat or John the Ripper with wordlists/masks.
- If you’re non-technical and the file isn’t sensitive: try a reputable free GUI tool or an online service.
Tips to improve success
- Gather possible password fragments: names, dates, patterns. Use masks in Hashcat to target those.
- Use targeted wordlists (e.g., relevant names, company terms) rather than huge generic lists.
- For GPU cracking, use a desktop with a modern NVIDIA/AMD GPU for far better speed.
- Keep backups of the original file before attempting changes.
Quick comparison
| Method / Tool | Best use | Ease | Works on encrypted open passwords? |
|---|---|---|---|
| VBA / Macro | Remove sheet/workbook protection | Easy | No |
| Hashcat + office2john | Encrypted files with GPU & known patterns | Technical | Yes (with effort) |
| John the Ripper | CPU-based cracking, flexible | Technical | Yes (with effort) |
| Free GUI tools | Non-technical users, simple cases | Easy | Sometimes (limited) |
| Online services | Convenience, non-sensitive files | Easy | Sometimes (varies) |
Final notes
- Always respect privacy and legal restrictions.
- For critical documents, consider professional data-recovery services if free tools fail.
- If you want, tell me which Excel version and whether it’s a sheet protection or open-password case, and I’ll recommend the best specific next step.
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