How to Remove Password from Excel XLSX & XLS files Easily?

Mark Regan
Published: September 5th, 2025 • 9 Min Read

Are you struggling to remove password from Excel files? If yes, then you are not alone. Users often feel frustrated when entering a password every single time when trying to access .XLS/.XLSX, where the password may no longer be necessary.

There are situations where users may need to consolidate a large Excel(.XLS/.XLSX) file or share a file with others. This is when they began to wonder, “How to remove password from .XLS/.XLSX files?” to access the Excel workbook trouble-free.

In this guide, we have covered “how to unprotect an Excel workbook with a password.” We have laid down steps to follow to unlock the Excel password with password wherever necessary. By the end, you will know how to manually remove the password from .XLS/.XLSX files and what limitations the process has. Additionally, a straightforward way to permanently remove a password from your Excel workbook using an advanced tool, avoiding any risk of file corruption and integrity issues, without requiring professional knowledge.

How to Remove Password From Excel Workbook? Quick Guide

Follow the steps below to easily remove password from XLS/XLSX files without corruption:

Download and launch BitRecover Excel Password Remover.
Select the Excel file you need to unlock.
Enter and verify the password to unprotect the Excel workbook.
Press remove.

Reasons Users Need to Remove Password From XLS/XLSX File

A primary reason can be that password protection may no longer be needed. The password might have been needed earlier, but it is no longer necessary.
Having a password on an Excel file that is frequently accessed can be frustrating, and it affects productivity. Additionally, removing the password from XLS/XLSX files for this reason saves time.
Users need to remove password from Excel for better collaboration while sharing files with others. It helps other users access the workbook easily without the need to communicate the password.
During a merger and acquisition, there is a need to consolidate Excel file for a large number of users; removing the password makes it easier.

Removing the password from XLSX/ XLS can be helpful in the above scenario. If you still need selective protection, you can apply a password from an Excel sheet, specifically when working collaboratively.

Key Considerations Before Removing Password from Excel

The methods discussed here are used to remove known passwords from Excel workbook, not spreadsheets specifically.
Using unofficial methods like converting to .zip/.xml or altering the HTML code to remove password from Excel without password can lead to permanent data corruption.
You can remove password from Excel (XLS/XLSX) file one at a time. Neither the official methods via Excel nor the advanced tool offers bulk unlocking of Excel file.
Once you remove password from XLSX/XLS file, you will be able to access it directly. Ensure proper security of data if the file is confidential or a part of the compliance policy.
Once you have removed the password from the XLS/XLSX file, ensure proper backup and version control to avoid data loss in case of accidental deletion.

How to Unlock Password From Excel (XLSX/XLS) Manually?

You can remove password from XLSX & XLS files, & unprotect Excel workbook with password using the methods given below:

Remove Password From Excel Manually in Mac/Windows

To remove an “Encrypt with Password” on Excel workbook on macOS or Windows, follow the steps below:

Open the Excel and go to the workbook, encrypted with a Password.
Go to the File in the top left corner.
Click on Info.
Go to the Protect Workbook option and click on the dropdown menu.
Navigate to “Encryption with Password.”
Clear the textbox. Press OK to remove the password.
Confirm and save the file to remove password from XLSX/XLS file.

How to Manually Remove Password From Excel Sheet?

This method is used to remove password from Excel(XLS/XLSX) sheet within the workbook. In case you cannot access a sheet under a workbook due to password protection.

Go to the Excel workbook with the password-protected sheet.
Navigate to Review in the menu bar.
Click on “Unprotect Sheet”.
Enter the password and confirm to remove the password from the spreadsheet.

Great, you have now removed the password from Excel(XLS/XLSX) sheets.

Limitations of the Manual Way to Unlock Excel Files Manually

Though it is entirely possible to remove password from XLSX & XLS documents manually, there are certain limitations to this process:

Removing passwords from an Excel workbook in bulk can be highly time-consuming manually.
The version of Excel updates quite regularly, and users are not able to use older methods as they are not able to locate several options found in the latest version.
The manual process includes multiple complex steps, and users often are not able to locate specific options.
Manual methods need extensive troubleshooting to unlock old Excel files from a password.

Learn: How to remove a password from Word Document, DOC & DOCX Files?

Pro Tip: How to Remove Password From Excel(XLSX & XLS) Files?

We get it manually, removing passwords from XLSX and XLS files can be highly repetitive and time-consuming. Often, it is difficult to locate an option to remove the password and unprotect the Excel workbook in different versions. This is where using an advanced tool like BitRecover Office Password Remover proves to be an ultimate solution. It enables you to unlock an Excel spreadsheet easily.

Using this advanced tool does not require any technical knowledge, is seamless, does not compromise security, and eradicates the risk of file corruption. It allows you to remove known passwords from XLS & XLSX files without Excel. It is one complete solution for all your queries, like “How to remove password from Excel”, “How to unprotect Excel workbook with a password”, or “How to unlock an encrypted password from XLSX/XLS files”.

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Step To Remove Password From XLSX and XLS Files

Follow the steps below to remove known password from the XLS & XLSX files using a robust tool:

Download and launch the Excel password remover on your desktop.
Select the Excel file you need to unprotect from the password under the source path.
Enter the Password.
You can verify the password by pressing on “click to show password”.
Select Remove to instantly unprotect the Excel file.

Once the process is completed, you have successfully remove the password from Excel safely and securely without manual hassle.

Why Choose Excel Password Remover To Remove Password From Excel?

If you are looking for an end-to-end tool to remove passwords from XLSX and XLS files. Look no further. Here are the key features of the advanced tool:

Instantly remove password from XLSX, XLS, & Excel files.
The tool is easy to set up and compatible with both Windows and macOS.
Enables you to unprotect Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other MS Office files.
Excel Password Remover works offline, working locally with 100% security.
Using the tool does not alter formatting, style, and other internal components after you unprotect the Excel workbook with a password.
Ensures no file corruption or data loss when you remove password from XLSX and XLS files.

Learn: How to Export Access to Excel?

FAQs: How To Remove Password From Excel?

Q1: How can I unprotect an Excel workbook without a password?

It is not possible to remove password from XLS and XLSX files if forgotten. You can try IT support, or you can unofficial method like converting to .ZIP and altering the XML code. However, it is not recommended as it may lead to data corruption.

Q2: How do I stop Excel from asking for a password?

If you need to remove the encrypted password when opening Excel, go to File >> Info >> Protect Workbook. Open the drop-down menu. Under “encrypt with password,” clear the text and save.
If you need to remove a password from a spreadsheet in Excel, go to the Review tab. Click on the unprotected sheet & enter the password.

Q3: How to set a password on Excel, XLS, and XLSX documents?

Go to the review tab under the menu bar in the file you have XLS files. Select Protect Workbook Option and set a password, re-enter to verify, and you must be able to set a password on Excel files.

Q4: Does using Excel Password Remover alter file content?

No, using the Excel password remover will not alter the file content, formatting, style, and other internal components.

Q5: Can I remove password from Excel online free?

Though there are online websites that help you remove passwords from XLS & XLSX files. It is not recommended as they are not secure. This is because they operate online, leading to data export on their own server, which may lead to a data breach.

Conclusion

How to remove password from Excel Mac or Windows has become a common query. This is because though data security is important but entering a password on a frequently accessed file where protection isn’t necessary can be frustrating. There are manual ways to remove passwords for XLSX and XLS files. But they come with limitations like being highly manual and missing options in different Excel versions. It allows you to unprotect Excel workbook with a password most easily and instantaneously. Give a try to our Excel Password Remover to safely, quickly, and effortlessly remove the lock for Excel files.