Introduction: VBA Code to Unlock a Locked Excel Sheet
More by the author:
About: I work in industrial automation and spend any free time making.
If you have ever forgotten a password for one of your excel worksheets you know how frustrating that can be.
The code used in this instruction is one of the simplest I've found. It will generate a usable code that will unlock your protected sheet.
I can't take credit for the code as I merely found it in a moment of need (and I can not find where the site is anymore)... sooo I wont be much help if it doesn't work for you but I've had success with it and thought I'd share.
The code used in this instruction is one of the simplest I've found. It will generate a usable code that will unlock your protected sheet.
I can't take credit for the code as I merely found it in a moment of need (and I can not find where the site is anymore)... sooo I wont be much help if it doesn't work for you but I've had success with it and thought I'd share.
Step 1: Open VBA
Open the worksheet you forget your password to.
Use Alt+F11 to enter the macro editor.
Once in VBA double click the sheet you need to unlock from the menu listing on the left.
This will open the general declarations page for the sheet.
Use Alt+F11 to enter the macro editor.
Once in VBA double click the sheet you need to unlock from the menu listing on the left.
This will open the general declarations page for the sheet.
Step 2: Cut and Paste the Code Breaker
Insert the code below in the general declarations page you have opened.
You should not have to change anything , sheet name etc... Just cut and paste.
_______________________
Sub PasswordBreaker()
'Breaks worksheet password protection.
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: For n = 32 To 126
ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & _
Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & _
Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox "One usable password is " & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & _
Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & _
Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
________________________
Step 3: Run the Macro
Once the code is added run the Macro by selecting Run from the menu tab bar at the top of the VBA editor screen or simple press F5
Step 4: Use the Generated Code
The macro will return you to the worksheet you want to unprotect. An alert style box will appear with a usable code.
In the Review menu tab click Unprotect sheet.
Enter the generated code as the password and your done. Your sheet should be unlocked!
You should use this power wisely and responsibly only to unlock your own worksheets.
In the Review menu tab click Unprotect sheet.
Enter the generated code as the password and your done. Your sheet should be unlocked!
You should use this power wisely and responsibly only to unlock your own worksheets.