How to Crack (Remove) the Excel File Password

Needed to crack the excel file because colleagues didn't know the password.

Identified the password unknown when they wanted to edit some formula functions.

As it was a xlsb file, changed it to xlsx first.

Then:
  1. Change the file extension from .xlsx to .zip
  2. Unzip it
  3. Edit xl/workbook.xml & xl/worksheets/sheet1.xml, sheet1.xml, ..., sheetN.xml
    • xl/workbook.xml: Remove <workbookProtection workbookPassword="12AB" lockStructure="1"/>
    • xl/worksheets/sheet1.xml: Remove <sheetProtection password="12AB" sheet="1" objects="1" scenarios="1"/>

4.  Zip this folders & files: _rels, customXml, docProps, xl, [Content_Types].xml

5. Change the file extension from .zip to .xlsx



References
[Solved] How to Crack Excel Password without Software, https://passper.imyfone.com/excel/how-to-crack-excel-password-without-software/

How to protect and unprotect Excel sheet with or without password, https://www.ablebits.com/office-addins-blog/protect-unprotect-excel-sheet-password/


How to remove Excel passwords with VBA (all 5 types), https://exceloffthegrid.com/removing-cracking-excel-passwords-with-vba



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