Have you ever found yourself locked out of an Excel VBA project because you can’t remember the password? It’s a frustrating situation, especially when you need to access or modify the code within an XLSM file. Fortunately, there’s a solution: using an Excel VBA password remover.

Title - Excel VBA Password Remover for XLSM

In this blog, we’ll dive into the essentials of removing passwords from VBA projects in Excel, focusing on the XLSM file format.

In this article

Understanding XLSM Files and VBA Projects

Before we jump into the password removal process, it’s important to understand what we’re dealing with. An XLSM file is an Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook, which means it contains VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) code that automates tasks and adds functionality to your spreadsheets. VBA projects within these files are often password-protected to safeguard the code from unauthorized access or modifications.

Why Would You Need an Excel VBA Password Remover?

There are several reasons why you might need to use an Excel VBA password remover for XLSM files:

  1. Lost Password: You’ve forgotten the password and can no longer access the VBA project.
  2. Inherited Files: You’ve received a file from a colleague or client with a locked VBA project, and they didn’t provide the password.
  3. Code Recovery: You need to recover or modify the code inside the VBA project to fix bugs or enhance functionality.

How to Remove Excel VBA Passwords from XLSM Files

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using an Excel VBA password remover for XLSM files:

  1. Backup Your File: Before you begin, it’s crucial to create a backup of your original XLSM file. This ensures that you can restore the file if anything goes wrong during the password removal process.

  2. Use a Hex Editor: One method to remove the password involves using a hex editor. Open your XLSM file in a hex editor and search for specific hex strings that correspond to the password. You can replace these strings with a standard hex value, effectively removing the password. This method requires some technical know-how and isn’t foolproof.

  3. Password Remover Tools: Several third-party tools are available specifically for removing VBA passwords from Excel files. These tools are usually user-friendly and do not require deep technical knowledge. Simply open the XLSM file in the tool, and it will remove the password, allowing you to access the VBA project. Please read about the list of these tools in next section.

  4. Open the Unprotected VBA Project: Once the password is removed, open the XLSM file in Excel and access the VBA project without any restrictions. You can now edit the code, add new macros, or do whatever you need to with your VBA project.

  5. Re-Secure the VBA Project: If you still want to protect your VBA code, consider setting a new password after making your changes. Be sure to store this password securely to avoid future lockouts.

Top Tools to Remove VBA Passwords in XLSM Files

Here are some popular tools you can use to remove VBA passwords from Excel XLSM files:

  1. VBA Password Bypasser
  2. Hex Editor (e.g., HxD)
  3. Password Lastic
  4. PassFab for Excel
  5. Password-Find
  6. John the Ripper (with a VBA-specific module)

Please read a brief overview of these tools below.

VBA Password Bypasser

  • Overview: A simple tool that allows you to bypass or remove passwords from VBA projects in Excel files.
  • Features:
    • Works with XLSM, XLS, and other Excel file formats.
    • Quick and easy-to-use interface.
  • Pros: Fast and straightforward.
  • Cons: Limited to bypassing VBA passwords; doesn’t offer additional features.

Hex Editor (e.g., HxD)

  • Overview: A hex editor like HxD can be used to manually remove or bypass VBA passwords by editing the binary code of the XLSM file.
  • Features:
    • Full control over file contents.
    • Can be used for various other purposes beyond password removal.
  • Pros: Free and highly versatile.
  • Cons: Requires technical knowledge; one wrong edit can corrupt the file.

Password Lastic

  • Overview: A dedicated password recovery tool for Excel files, including VBA passwords.
  • Features:
    • Supports a wide range of Excel versions.
    • Easy-to-use interface with straightforward steps.
  • Pros: Supports various Excel formats and versions.
  • Cons: Paid software with a limited free trial.

PassFab for Excel

  • Overview: A professional tool designed to recover or remove passwords from Excel workbooks, including VBA project passwords.
  • Features:
    • High success rate.
    • Supports password recovery for both workbook and VBA projects.
  • Pros: User-friendly with a high success rate.
  • Cons: Paid software, but offers a trial version.

Password-Find

  • Overview: An online service that can remove or recover passwords from Excel files, including VBA projects.
  • Features:
    • Online tool, so no need to install software.
    • Supports all Excel formats.
  • Pros: Convenient and no installation required.
  • Cons: Requires uploading your file, which may raise privacy concerns.

John the Ripper (with a VBA-specific module)

  • Overview: A more advanced and technical tool, John the Ripper is a password-cracking software that can be extended to crack VBA passwords.
  • Features:
    • Highly customizable and powerful.
    • Free and open-source.
  • Pros: Extremely powerful for those familiar with it.
  • Cons: Not user-friendly for beginners; requires setup and knowledge of command-line operations.

Conclusion

Using an Excel VBA password remover for XLSM files can be a handy solution when you’re locked out of your own VBA projects. When choosing a tool, consider your technical comfort level and the importance of the data in your XLSM file. For casual users, simpler tools like PassFab for Excel or Password Lastic might be more appropriate, while advanced users could benefit from using a hex editor or John the Ripper. Always remember to back up your files before attempting to remove or bypass passwords.