Use ZIP to UNPROTECT an Excel spreadsheet - how to remove an Excel spreadsheet password

Use ZIP to UNPROTECT an Excel spreadsheet - how to remove an Excel spreadsheet password

http://www.excelsupersite.com/how-to-remove-an-excel-spreadsheet-password-in-6-easy-steps/

STEP 1.   Rename the extension of your spreadsheet from *.xlsx to *.zip.

 

STEP 4.   If you have a lot of worksheets within your spreadsheet, then this next step can get a little tedious… Starting at sheet1.xml – open the file in Notepad and search for the line that begins with “<sheetProtection algorithmName=”SHA-512” hashValue=“.    

It will look something like:
<sheetProtection algorithmName=”SHA-512” hashValue=”x9RyFM+j9H4J3IFFhsHo3q1kQkuLydpJlLh2mdvfvk15He/Yps8xizWt/XkAJ//g+TyqgcU+8o1QBjQvKDqIzg==” saltValue=”57YXDPnVjawU5s1nGyT8fQ==” spinCount=”100000” sheet=”1” objects=”1” scenarios=”1”/>

Nb: the hashvalue and saltvalue WILL be different in your file than what is shown here.

Select this entire line – everything between and including the “<” and “>” characters and delete it.

STEP 5.   Save your modified xml file. Repeat this process for every xml file in your spreadsheet. Once complete, you simply need to add your modified xml files back into your “zip” file, overwriting all existing original xml files.    

STEP 6.   Rename your *.Zip file back to *.xlsx and “tadaaaaaa!!” all your worksheets will now be unprotected and you’ll have full access to your data and information stored in them.