Most people protect the Excel files they created before sharing them, especially if the file is made up of automatic formulas. This is not a protection when opening or changing values inside cells but only a block on the template and calculations.
This occurs for several reasons, both to not allow changes to the calculations in the formulas, and to protect predefined models from changes.
This protection could become a problem if the preset calculations are wrong and the user of that sheet cannot change them without the creator password.
I repeat again to be clear: the protection of an Excel file that can be removed is not that of opening the file, for which there is very little to do, but that which prevents the modification of formulas and the arrangement of cells in the sheet of calculation .
Practically the file can be modified even if the annoying error message " the file you are trying to modify is read-only " appears.
There are several ways to unlock a protected Excel file without knowing the password .
A very popular method is through the Excel Password Remover tool which however is free only if used on Office Excel 2003 and not on files created with the 2007 or 2010 versions.
To use this tool you must set the medium protection on the menu of tools -> macro -> protection .
Once the password remover is activated and the spreadsheet to be unlocked is opened, you can use the Unprotect Sheet button from the tools menu to unlock the table.
However, there are much simpler methods for editing Excel files as read-only :
1) Upload the file to Google Docs and, as if by magic, there will no longer be any protection.
Then download it again without making any changes, making sure to save it with a name different from the original one.
It may be necessary to realign the cells manually after the file is unlocked.
2) Upload the file to Zoho Sheet .
Zoho Sheet works similarly to Google Docs and is one of the best and least known applications to use Office for free on the internet.
The process for unlocking an Excel file is the same as for Google Docs, just upload the file and then download it again under a different name.
From some tests made, the file has remained identical only that the font or font has been changed, which can be easily adjusted.
3) Upload the xls or xlsx file to the Ensode Utility website to download it completely unlocked and without modification protection.
This web application is the best and fastest way to unlock a read-only protected Excel file but it is in a very messy and full of advertising site.
To find the " Choose file " button you have to go to the bottom of the page, then you have to accept the conditions and download the new unlocked Excel sheet using the link provided.
Ensode unlock utility preserves the integrity of the original worksheet and is not changed at all on cell formatting.
