How to Unlock a Password for Excel Spreadsheets

1. Copy and paste the spreadsheet into a new workbook. Some password-protected spreadsheets can be copied completely, including all formulas. If this does not work, you will have to download and use an Excel password cracking program.
2. Download an Excel password cracker program or find a macro. There are many programs and macros that you can find with a quick Google, Yahoo! or Bing search with the search phrase 'Excel password cracker.' One example is Office Password Recovery Pro, which can be used to unlock the spreadsheet password.
3. After installing your Excel password cracking program, double-click the program's icon or go to the 'Start' menu and select 'Programs.' Click the newly installed program from the list.
4. Click 'Open' in your program and select the option '100% Instant Document Decryption' or similar option. Select the document for which you need the password. This will recover passwords for spreadsheets as well as the password to open the document. An option will appear to either create a new document without passwords or to display the passwords for the given document.
5. Choose where you would like to save the unprotected document if that is the option you chose.
6. Click 'Recover the Password to Open' if you want the passwords displayed. Select the document, if not already done, and click 'Next' twice and select 'Finish.' The program will run and then notify you when the results are ready, showing both document and spreadsheet passwords.