Sam password protected an Excel workbook. He no longer wants that protection and he has tried the obvious (to him) options to remove that protection. When he closes the workbook, however, Excel still requires a password to open the workbook again. Sam wonders how to completely remove the protection from a workbook he previously protected.
There are two caveats to note here, before looking at ways to address the issue. First, Sam is talking about removing workbook protection, not about adjusting worksheet protection. Second, Sam already has the password to the workbook and can get into it—he simply wants to save the workbook so that the password is not needed again. (It isn't his desire to open a workbook file for which he doesn't have the password.)
First, you should remove any in-workbook protection. You do that by first displaying the Review tab of the ribbon. What you then do depends on your version of Excel.
Click the tool, and either the workbook is immediately unprotected (if there was no password associated with the protection) or you'll see the Unprotect Workbook dialog box. (See Figure 1.)
Figure 1. The Unprotect Workbook dialog box.
If prompted, enter the password and click on OK.
Next, you need to remove any workbook-level protection. There are several ways you can do this. One way is to follow these steps:
Figure 2. The Encrypt Document dialog box.
The above steps only remove the password required to open the workbook. It is very possible there is another password associated with the workbook. Removing that password brings us to the third approach; it involves saving your workbook anew. Follow these steps:
Figure 3. The General Options dialog box.
If you still encounter problems opening the file, it is possible (though not probable) that the workbook is somehow protected within Windows itself. This most often is the case if the file is stored on a network drive to which your administrator has applied security permissions.
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2020-08-20 16:35:00
You are a badman, I love it.
Thank you for this tidbit.
All I can say is wow, I could do this with LibreOffice but it is the 6.4.4 version instead of the 7.0.3 version (latest).
Again, thank you.
Todd
2018-08-06 09:28:06
jonrink
All user if you have lost your password and you find solution how to Recover Excel Password.
Use eSoftTools Excel Password Recovery Tool this is best tool for Recover password.
I also use this software it’s easy to use and fast Recover Excel Password without harm excel data.
It’s also work on Word file and Access data to recover password. Software works on all excel file versions upto 2016.
2017-02-20 10:31:24
JC
I like the new tip page layout, but I'd like to see less wasted space in the newsletter (email notification). It causes unnecessary vertical scrolling to read the entire newsletter. Thanks.
2017-02-20 05:02:12
Andy
Yes, the new look is very good and much clearer. Thanks for that!
2017-02-18 09:58:24
Allen
I'll check in to it, Micky...
-Allen
2017-02-18 05:49:39
Michael (Micky) Avidan
Allen,
Trying to add a picture to a comment - fails.
I get this error:
Thanks for trying to add a comment to this Tips.Net article. The following errors occurred:
No valid file found for the Figure 1 image.
--------------------------
Michael (Micky) Avidan
“Microsoft® Answers" - Wiki author & Forums Moderator
“Microsoft®” MVP – Excel (2009-2017)
ISRAEL
2017-02-18 05:46:06
Michael (Micky) Avidan
Allen,
Big "Chapeau !" for the new look of the tip window especially for the capability to add pictures (which, by all means, clarifies the essence)
--------------------------
Michael (Micky) Avidan
“Microsoft® Answers" - Wiki author & Forums Moderator
“Microsoft®” MVP – Excel (2009-2017)
ISRAEL
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