You can remove an Excel password in a few minutes using the program itself

If you have set a password on an Excel file and now want to remove it, you can do this directly in Excel without any special tools. The process depends on what kind of password you set: a password to open the file, or a password to edit it. Both can be removed, though the steps differ slightly between Excel on Windows and Excel on Mac.

The fastest route is to open the file, save it with a blank password field, and overwrite the original. This takes about two minutes if you remember the password. If you have forgotten the password entirely, you will need a different approach.

Key Takeaways

  • You can remove an open-password or edit-password from Excel by opening the file, going to File > Info > Protect Workbook, and clearing the password field before saving.
  • On Windows, the Protect Workbook button is in the Info section; on Mac, it is under Tools in the menu bar.
  • If you have forgotten the password, you cannot remove it through Excel itself — you will need to use a third-party password recovery tool or contact whoever set the password.
  • Removing a password overwrites the original file, so make a backup copy first if you want to keep the password-protected version.

Removing a password you remember on Windows

Open Excel and load the file that has the password. When prompted, enter the password to open it. Once the file is open, click the File tab in the top left corner.

In the File menu, click Info on the left side. On the right side of the screen, look for a button labeled Protect Workbook. Click it and select Encrypt with Password from the dropdown menu.

A dialog box will appear with a password field. Leave this field completely blank — do not type anything. Click OK. Excel will ask you to confirm by leaving the password field blank again in the next dialog. Click OK again. Now save the file by pressing Ctrl+S or going to File > Save. The password is now removed.

Removing a password you remember on Mac

Open the file in Excel and enter the password when prompted. Once it is open, click the Tools menu at the top of the screen.

From the Tools menu, select Protect Workbook and then Encrypt with Password. A dialog box will appear. Leave the password field blank and click OK. Confirm again by leaving the field blank in the next dialog and clicking OK. Save the file using Command+S. The password is removed.

What to do if you have forgotten the password

If you cannot remember the password, Excel does not have a built-in way to remove it. You have two options: use a third-party password recovery tool, or contact the person who set the password if you know who that is.

Third-party tools exist that claim to recover or remove Excel passwords, but they vary widely in reliability and cost. Some work only on older Excel files (.xls format) and not on newer ones (.xlsx format). Before purchasing or downloading any tool, search for recent reviews specific to your Excel version and file format. Be cautious with tools that ask for payment upfront or require you to upload your file to a website.

If the file belongs to your organization, your IT department may have a record of the password or a way to reset it. If it is a personal file and you truly cannot remember the password, you may need to accept that the file cannot be opened without that password.

The difference between open-password and edit-password

Excel allows two different types of passwords. An open-password prevents anyone from opening the file at all without entering it first. An edit-password allows the file to be opened and read, but requires a password to make changes to it.

Both are removed using the same steps described above. When you go to Protect Workbook and select Encrypt with Password, you are removing whichever type was set. If both passwords were set on the file, removing one does not remove the other — you will need to repeat the process for each one.

Making sure you do not lose the file

When you remove a password and save the file, Excel overwrites the original. If you think you might want the password-protected version later, make a copy of the file first before you start removing the password.

To do this, right-click the file in Windows File Explorer (or Finder on Mac) and select Copy. Then right-click in an empty area and select Paste. This creates a duplicate with a name like "Copy of [filename]". Keep this copy in a safe place, then proceed with removing the password from the original.

Why you might want to remove a password

People set passwords on Excel files for different reasons: to prevent accidental changes, to keep sensitive data private, or to control who can edit a shared document. You might remove a password because you no longer need that protection, you are moving the file to a less secure location where the password is no longer necessary, or you simply want faster access without typing a password each time.

Removing a password does not change any of the data in the file itself — it only removes the lock. The numbers, formulas, and formatting all stay exactly the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove a password if I only have read-only access to the file?

No. To remove a password, you must be able to save the file, which requires write access. If the file is read-only, you cannot save changes. Ask whoever manages the file to give you write permission, or ask them to remove the password for you.

Will removing the password affect my formulas or data?

No. Removing a password changes only the security setting, not the contents of the file. All formulas, data, formatting, and calculations remain exactly as they were.

What if the password field stays blank but Excel still asks for a password when I open the file?

This usually means the file has a second password you did not remove. Some files have both an open-password and an edit-password. Repeat the Protect Workbook steps again to remove the second one.

Can I remove a password from an Excel file on Google Sheets or OneDrive?

No. Google Sheets and OneDrive's web versions do not have password removal features. Download the file to your computer, remove the password using Excel as described above, and then upload it back if needed.

Is there a way to remove a password without opening the file?

No. You must open the file (by entering the password) before you can remove it. There is no way to modify the password setting without accessing the file first.