How to Convert Protected Excel Sheet to Unprotected One?

Rollins Duke
Published: May 9th, 2026 • 6 Min Read

A protected Excel worksheet prevents users from making any changes to Excel sheet. You cannot directly edit data, change formulas, or even format cells. Locked Excel spreadsheet stops you from editing cells, from changing & formatting tables. Many users face this issue when they are trying to update important information in Excel sheets. A protected Excel sheet provide limits access to important features inside Excel. Most of the time, Users are no longer able to remember passwords, inherit files from another employee, or receive locked worksheet. In this up-to-date blog, users will learn some methods that help users convert protected Excel sheet to unprotected XLS sheet without losing any data. Let’s continue with us to know how to directly convert bulk of protected Excel files.

Top Reasons to Convert Protected Excel Sheet as Unprotected

Check some real-world reasons that help you to know why users want unprotected Excel sheet. Let’s break down

Forgot Password: Many users lock Excel worksheets because of data security. Later, they forgot to share password. In this situation, Excel owner can’t edit or update data.
Received Locked File From Owner: Sometimes teams share Excel reports with protection. An Excel sheet receiver forgot to have editing access from real owner.
Need to Update & Edit Formula: Protected sheet restricts formula editing. Users need to unprotect sheet to correct mistakes & update calculations.
Update Records: Excel spreadsheet used to store data in organized way. There are users need Excel access to update archived records that were saved in past.
Remove restriction for Team collaboration: A Protect sheet slowdown collaboration whenever multiple people need editing access.
Migrating Excel to Another System: Users want full access to Excel before they can export & rearrange their spreadsheet data.
Faster Workflow & Customization: A locked Excel sheet can really slow down when users have urgent tasks to tackle. Accessing & dealing with locked Excel sheet can be quite hassle process than usual.

Corporations often use Excel to organize data. Excel files pass access to single sheet to multiple users. Forgotten password on Excel workbook can be tougher to anyone who wants to update sheet. Now let’s know easy method to save protected Excel file to unprotected file without any technical hurdles.

Difference Between Protected & Encrypted Excel Sheet

Before removing protection, you should know whether your Excel sheet is protected or encrypted sheet.

Protected Excel	Encrypted Excel
Prevent you from making any changes in Excel.	Prevent unauthorized opening of Excel files.
Have basic protection.	Strong security with password encryption.
Lock Cells, formulas, rows, columns, & worksheets.	It locks complete Excel workbook/file.
Users can open & view Excel files.	Excel files cannot be opened without correct password.
Avoid unwanted Excel file changes.	Protect confidential & business data.
Team collaboration & controlled editing.	Privacy, security, & data protection.

Method 1: Unprotect Excel Sheet with Password

If you have password, then you can unprotect Excel sheet without relying on any online tool. Try some steps here–

First, open Excel file.
Now you need to “Go to Review tab.”
Click “Unprotect Sheet“
Excel asks you, “Enter password.”
After entering password, press “OK.”

Method 2: Convert Protected XLS Sheet to Unprotected without Password

If you don’t have password, then you still can get unprotected Excel sheet. Follow some latest steps that help you to get access to protected Excel sheet as unprotected.

Tip: Firstly, users need to create backup of protected Excel file. Before making any changes. If Excel file is corrupted or disorganized, then they can use this backup file.

Create Backup.
Now change extension from .xlsx to .zip.
After that, open ZIP folder.
Navigate to:
- xl > worksheets
- Locate protected sheet XML file.
Open by using Notepad.
Search for:
- sheetProtection
- Delete entire protection tag
Save file.
Now convert ZIP back to .xlsx.

Alternative Methods to Convert Protected Excel Sheet

If users find they have only certain level of cells locked, then they can use these steps to change Excel sheet from protected to unprotected.

Firstly, open protected worksheet.
Select available cells
Copy selected “content” in sheet.
Paste copied content into new workbook.
Rebuild formatting.

Try Google Sheet

If you want to convert protected Excel sheets to unprotected, use Google Sheets. Here are some steps that help you get unprotected Excel worksheet. Here is some steps you need to follow–

Login Gmail Account.
Go to Drive.
Upload Excel file to Google Drive
Open it with Google Sheets
Create another copy of worksheet.
Download it again in XLSX format.

Online Free Tools to Change XLS | XLSX Sheet to Unprotected

Find good Excel Password Remover Tool.
Drag n Drop protected Excel file.
Click “Remove password.”
Download XLS sheet again.

Limitations of Free Methods

Remove only limited protected Excel sheets.
Chances of lost formatting.
An online tool can expose your sensitive information.
Malware & adware can be downloaded onto systems from online tools.
Time-consuming process.
Need technical expert who knows MS Excel very well.

Best Method: Convert Protected Excel Workbook as Unprotected

If users don’t want to lose Excel formatting & can’t risk sensitive information, then try BitRecover Office Password Remover Tool. This tool easily convert protected Excel sheet to unprotected one without checking your personal information within Excel sheet. This automated tool didn’t require extra efforts to convert protected Excel sheet. Within minutes, users can get bulk of unprotected Excel sheet from protected one. Download free version of this utility. Follow some instructions to learn how this software works.

Download Now Purchase Now

Follow this Steps

Download Excel File Password Removal Software.
Choose Excel Files within system.
Now click on “Click to Show Password.”
After all steps, tap on “Remove” to get unprotected Excel sheets.

Pro Tips: Whenever Converting Protected Excel Sheet

Many websites recommend unsafe or outdated techniques.
Fully check unknown password recovery tool before giving Excel sheet.
Fake online tools, because they want to steal your data.
Verify VBA scripts that you get from random forums.

Why Follow Free Tips As we know, Excel stores important information in organized way to easily get access to any data within minutes. Free method corrupts XLSX files & removes formulas within sheets. Users can damage formatting of XLS file. They also expose private data.

Let’s Wrap Up,

Protected Excel worksheets are invented to prevent unwanted edits in workbook. If you forgot your password, inherited old spreadsheet, or need to update locked data. This blog explains multiple types of methods that help users to convert protected Excel sheets to unprotected versions. Always use safe solution that helps you to preserve formulas, formatting, & workbook structure. By following this method, users can safely remove password from Excel worksheets. Retrieve access of protected Excel sheet without harming any crucial spreadsheet information.