As we already know, Excel is one of the most used Microsoft Windows programs. Its utility is diverse, with this program you can perform different jobs (data logging, graphics, reports, among others). The results that it offers us vary depending on the use we give it. Without a doubt, it has very complete functions.
One of the options that the program offers us is to protect the data in our spreadsheet. This option is quite useful if what we want is to prevent other people from accidentally editing or moving the actions we have carried out in our Excel, such as the formulas that are applied in some cells. However, we must take into account the warnings that Microsoft indicates if we have thought about applying this option:
- The passwords can not be recovered.
- Protecting a workbook or spreadsheet with a password does not mean that it is completely secure.
- Protection at the spreadsheet level is not intended as a security feature. This only prevents outsiders from being able to freely access and edit our Excel file.
In accordance with the above, if we want to protect our spreadsheet, we must bear in mind that security is limited.
Difference between protecting a spreadsheet and saving the excel file with a password
As mentioned so far, just protecting a spreadsheet does not mean that it is secure. But what happens if we save our file with a password? In short, it is the opposite of the previous option. We will enter Excel only if we know the password, or, in any case, performing some other complicated methods (Macros for example). However, to better specify this difference, it is necessary to know what each one of them consists of.
Protecting a spreadsheet simply blocks any action we perform within cells or activate any of the menu options in them. But if we save the entire Excel file with a password, we will make sure that nobody can access it, of course, with the exception of those who have the password, which makes the process difficult if we want to unlock the file.
For the purposes of this post, what we will do is unlock an Excel file that has its spreadsheet protected. For this we will use the most practical solution. We will do it online, or simply from our own browser, either from our mobile or a computer. Here we show you how to do it.
Unlock the Excel file online
If we have had an Excel file that is protected in its spreadsheets and you want to modify the values of the cell or perform other actions with total freedom, then it is time for you to follow the following instructions:
- Save the Excel file you want to unlock. For this action, make sure that the file is in xsl format (it is the most appropriate). If it isn’t, just change it to this type of format or extension by modifying the file name.
- Open your favorite browser, and there enter this link.
- Now click on the window where you have to add the file . Just locate the Excel with the xsl extension and proceed to insert it into the page window.
- It will load the Excel and then it will download the same file but already unlocked.
It’s that easy, with this we will have managed to unlock the Excel file, now yes, with the possibility of being able to edit the spreadsheets to our liking.
On the other hand, if for some reason what you want is to keep your Excel file safe, and that only people who know the password can access it, then take the following into consideration.
Securely protect an Excel file with a password
Earlier we said that it is usually easy to unlock a protected Excel sheet or even a spreadsheet workbook , but if we want to save the entire Excel file with a security key , it will be more difficult to unlock it .
Then follow the next steps to achieve it:
- Once you’ve worked on your spreadsheet, head over to the file option .
- In the file option go to passwords.
- It will ask us to write an opening or writing password within the spreadsheet (it is optional). We can write just a password or two, either for opening or also another for writing, it’s up to you. Anyway, here we indicate some passwords that you must forget if you want to be more secure.
- Finally we confirm and we accept.
With this, our Excel file will be protected so safer. And we will verify that unlocking it with the link that appears above lines will not work. It goes without saying the reason why it could not be unlocked.