How to Copy Data from Protected Excel Sheet Without Password

How-to / By / August 22, 2023

Data security is of utmost importance in today’s digital age. Many individuals and companies use password protection to safeguard their sensitive information, including Excel spreadsheets. However, there may be instances when you need to access data from a protected Excel sheet without knowing the password. This blog post aims to provide you with various methods and solutions to copy data from a protected Excel sheet without a password. These suggested methods are 100% working in 2023！

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Copying Data from a Protected Excel Sheet

When an Excel sheet is protected with a password, it restricts users from making changes to the sheet, including copying or extracting data. This security measure is put in place to prevent unauthorized access and ensure data integrity. However, there may be genuine cases where you need to access the data without the password. This can prove to be quite challenging, as Excel’s built-in features do not provide a direct option to bypass the password protection.

To overcome this challenge, we will explore different methods that can help you copy data from a protected Excel sheet without knowing the password.

Method 1: How to Copy Data from Protected Excel Sheet without Password Manually

One of the simplest ways to copy data from a protected Excel sheet without a password is through manual methods. Although this method may require some time and effort, it can be effective in certain scenarios. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open the protected Excel sheet in Excel.
2. Press "Alt + F11" to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.
3. In the VBA editor, go to "Insert" -> "Module" to create a new module.
4. Copy and paste the following code into the module:

VBA
Sub CopyData()
Dim ws As Worksheet
Set ws = Sheets("Sheet1") ‘Replace "Sheet1" with the name of your protected sheet

ws.Unprotect ‘Remove the sheet protection temporary

ws.Copy ‘Copy the unprotected sheet to a new workbook

With ActiveSheet
.Cells.Copy
.Cells.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlPasteValues
End With

Application.DisplayAlerts = False
ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs "C:\Path\To\Save\NewWorkbook.xls" ‘Replace "C:\Path\To\Save\NewWorkbook.xls" with the desired save path and file name
Application.DisplayAlerts = True

ActiveWorkbook.Close SaveChanges:=False
ThisWorkbook.Activate
End Sub

5. Replace "Sheet1" with the name of your protected sheet in the code.
6. Replace "C:\Path\To\Save\NewWorkbook.xls" with the desired save path and file name.
7. Press "F5" to run the code.
8. The code will unprotect the sheet, copy the data, and save it as a new workbook in the specified location.

Pros:

  1. Simple and straightforward process.
  2. Does not require any third-party software.
  3. Preserves the formatting and structure of the original data.

Cons:

  1. Requires basic knowledge of Excel and VBA coding.
  2. May not work if the Excel file has complex protection measures.
  3. Can be time-consuming for large and complex sheets.

Method 2: How to Copy Data from Protected Excel Sheet without Password via Dr.Excel

If you are not comfortable with VBA coding or the manual method did not work for your protected Excel sheet, you can try using third-party software like iSeePassword Dr.Excel. This software is specifically designed to remove password protection from Excel sheets and allows users to copy data without knowing the password. Here are the steps to follow using iSeePassword Dr.Excel:

1. Download and install iSeePassword Dr.Excel on your computer.
2. Launch the software and click on "Add" to import the protected Excel file.
3. Select the file and click on "Remove Password" to start the password removal process.
4. The software will analyze the protection type and remove the password from the Excel file.
5. Once the password is removed, you can freely copy the data from the protected sheet.
6. Paste the data into a new Excel file or any other destination as required.

Pros:

  1. User-friendly interface with a simple and intuitive process.
  2. Does not require any coding or technical knowledge.
  3. Supports various protection types, including both open passwords and worksheet/workbook structure passwords.

Cons:

  1. Requires purchasing and installing third-party software.
  2. May raise concerns about data privacy and security when using third-party software.
  3. Compatibility issues may arise with certain Excel versions or file formats.

Method 3: How to Copy Data from Protected Excel Sheet Using Online Tool

If you prefer not to install any software on your computer, you can try using online Excel unlockers to remove the password protection from your Excel sheet. These online tools offer a convenient way to unlock and copy data from protected Excel sheets without a password. Here are the steps to follow using an online Excel unlocker:

1. Open a web browser and search for "online Excel unlocker."
2. Choose a reputable online Excel unlocker tool from the search results.
3. Upload the protected Excel file to the online tool.
4. Select the option to remove the password protection.
5. The online tool will analyze the protection type and remove the password from the Excel file.
6. Once the password is removed, you can freely copy the data from the protected sheet.
7. Paste the data into a new Excel file or any other destination as required.

Pros:

  1. No installation required.
  2. Convenient and accessible from any device with an internet connection.
  3. Can be a cost-effective solution compared to purchasing software.

Cons:

  1. Reliance on internet connectivity and availability of online tools.
  2. May raise concerns about data privacy and security when using online tools.
  3. Compatibility issues may arise with certain Excel versions or file formats.

Method 4: How to Copy Data from Protected Excel Sheet Using Excel Password Recovery

If you are unable to copy data from a protected Excel sheet using the above methods, you can consider using Excel password recovery tools. These tools are designed to recover or reset the password for Excel files and provide access to the protected data. Here are the steps to follow using Excel password recovery software:

1. Download and install a reputable Excel password recovery tool on your computer.
2. Launch the software and import the protected Excel file.
3. Choose the appropriate password recovery method (e.g., brute force, mask attack, dictionary attack, etc.).
4. Start the password recovery process and wait for the software to retrieve the password.
5. Once the password is recovered, use it to unprotect the Excel sheet.
6. Copy the data from the unprotected sheet and paste it into a new Excel file or any other destination as required.

Pros:

  1. Provides a reliable and effective solution for password-protected Excel sheets.
  2. Offers different password recovery methods to accommodate various scenarios.
  3. Supports a wide range of Excel versions and protection types.

Cons:

  1. Requires purchasing and installing password recovery software.
  2. May not guarantee successful password recovery in all cases.
  3. Recovering complex passwords may be time-consuming.

What to Do If You Can’t Copy Data from a Protected Excel Sheet without Password

If the above methods didn’t work for your specific Excel sheet or you prefer alternative solutions, here are three alternatives to consider:

1. Ask the Sheet Owner or Administrator: If you are legitimately authorized to access the data, reach out to the owner or administrator of the Excel sheet and request the password.

2. Retrieve a Backup Copy: If you have a backup copy of the Excel file before it was password protected, use the backup to access the desired data.

3. Data Entry or Manual Copying: If all else fails and the data is not too extensive, consider manually entering or copying the required data from the protected Excel sheet to a separate document or application.

Bonus Tips for Copying Data from Protected Excel Sheet without Password

Here are three bonus tips to enhance your experience when copying data from a protected Excel sheet without a password:

1. Use Conditional Formatting: If you encounter cells with hidden values or conditional formatting, make use of the Excel feature called "Conditional Formatting" to reveal and copy the desired data.

2. Save as CSV: If you only need the data without formulas and formatting, consider saving the protected Excel sheet as a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file. This will remove the password protection and allow you to open the CSV file in any spreadsheet software.

3. Remember Best Practices: Always practice ethical data handling and ensure that you have the appropriate rights and permissions to access and copy data from protected Excel sheets.

5 FAQs about Copying Data from Protected Excel Sheet without Password

Q1: Is it legal to copy data from a protected Excel sheet without a password?

A: Copying data from a protected Excel sheet without a password can be legal if you have the necessary rights and permissions to access and use the data. However, it is important to ensure that you are not violating any laws or infringing on data privacy rights.

Q2: Can I remove the password protection from an Excel sheet without any third-party software?

A: Yes, you can remove the password protection from an Excel sheet without using third-party software by using manual methods like the VBA code mentioned earlier. However, these methods require a certain level of technical knowledge and may not work in all scenarios.

Q3: Are online Excel unlockers safe to use?

A: While many online Excel unlockers claim to be safe and secure, it is always recommended to exercise caution and use reputable and trusted online tools. Be mindful of privacy and security risks associated with sharing sensitive data with online platforms.

Q4: Will copying data from a protected Excel sheet remove the password?

A: No, copying data from a protected Excel sheet does not remove the password. It only allows you to copy and access the data without directly knowing the password. The password protection remains intact unless removed through other means.

Q5: How can I protect my Excel sheet from unauthorized copying or access?

A: To protect your Excel sheet from unauthorized copying or access, you can apply password protection or use other security measures like worksheet or workbook-level protection, file encryption, or setting user permissions.

Conclusion

Copying data from a protected Excel sheet without a password can be a challenging task, but with the right methods and tools, it is possible to achieve the desired outcome. In this blog post, we explored various methods, including manual methods, third-party software, online tools, and password recovery software. Additionally, we discussed alternative solutions and provided bonus tips to copy data from protected Excel sheet without password. Remember to always follow best practices and ensure that you have the appropriate rights and permissions when handling protected data.

Related Posts