Best Excel Password Recovery Software to Recover Forgotten Excel Passwords
Forgetting the password of an Excel workbook can be frustrating, especially when the file contains important business, financial, or personal data. If you no longer remember the password, an Excel password recovery tool can help you regain access without changing the original file.
There are several Excel password recovery tools available, but their recovery methods, supported Excel versions, and ease of use vary. Below are five popular options, starting with SysTools Excel Password Recovery, which is a strong choice for recovering unknown Excel passwords offline.
1. SysTools Excel Password Recovery — Best Overall
SysTools Excel Password Recovery is a suitable option when you have completely forgotten the Excel password and need to recover it offline. Unlike solutions that require you to remember part of the password, it supports brute-force recovery for unknown passwords.
The software provides two advanced recovery modes, allowing users to choose an approach depending on what they know about the lost password. This can be useful when the password is completely unknown or when you have some idea about its characteristics.
The main advantage is that the recovery process takes place on the local computer, so you don't have to upload the protected Excel file to an online service.
Key features
- Recovers forgotten Excel workbook passwords
- Supports brute-force password recovery
- Provides two advanced recovery modes
- Works offline
- Supports XLS and XLSX files
- Preserves the original Excel file
- Suitable when the complete password is unknown
- Simple interface for non-technical users
Best for: Users who have forgotten the entire Excel password and want an offline recovery solution with advanced recovery options.
2. FreeViewer Excel Password Recovery
FreeViewer Excel Password Recovery is another option for users looking to recover passwords from protected Excel files. It provides a straightforward interface and focuses on recovering lost or forgotten workbook passwords.
It can be useful for users who prefer a dedicated desktop application rather than an online password recovery service.
However, users should check the exact Excel versions, password types, and recovery limitations supported by the current edition before choosing it.
Best for: Users looking for another desktop-based Excel password recovery option.
3. Passware Kit
Passware Kit is a well-known password recovery solution that supports a wide range of file types, including Microsoft Office documents.
Its advantage is its broad password recovery functionality. However, it can be more complicated than a dedicated Excel password recovery tool because it is designed for many different file formats and recovery scenarios.
The full version can also be relatively expensive for someone who only needs to recover an Excel password occasionally.
Best for: Professionals who need password recovery for multiple file formats, not just Excel.
4. Elcomsoft Advanced Office Password Breaker
Elcomsoft Advanced Office Password Breaker is designed specifically for recovering passwords from Microsoft Office documents. It offers different password recovery techniques and can be useful in professional recovery scenarios.
The main drawback is that its advanced functionality can make the software less suitable for casual users. Depending on the password and encryption used, recovery can also require significant computing resources.
Best for: Advanced users who need professional-grade Office password recovery capabilities.
5. Accent OFFICE Password Recovery
Accent OFFICE Password Recovery is another tool designed to recover passwords from Microsoft Office documents, including Excel files.
It offers multiple recovery approaches and can be useful when dealing with forgotten Office passwords. However, its interface and advanced settings may feel less straightforward to users who simply want to recover an Excel workbook password quickly.
Best for: Users who want a dedicated Office password recovery application with multiple recovery methods.
*Features can vary by product edition and supported Excel password type.
Which Excel Password Recovery Tool Should You Choose?
If your main requirement is recovering an unknown Excel password offline, SysTools Excel Password Recovery is worth considering because it combines brute-force recovery with two advanced recovery modes in a dedicated Excel-focused application.
FreeViewer can be considered as another straightforward option, while Passware, Elcomsoft, and Accent are better suited to users who need broader or more advanced Office password recovery capabilities.
One important point is that Excel has different types of protection. A workbook may have a password required to open the file, or it may only have worksheet/workbook-level protection. The recovery method and whether a particular tool can remove or recover the protection depend on the type of password involved.
Before using any password recovery software, make sure you have the right to access the Excel file. Also, keep a backup of the original file so that your source data remains protected during the recovery process.
Final Verdict
There is no single Excel password recovery tool that is ideal for every situation. For a forgotten or completely unknown password, SysTools Excel Password Recovery stands out as a practical choice because of its offline brute-force recovery and two advanced recovery modes. FreeViewer is another option for basic recovery needs, while Passware, Elcomsoft, and Accent are worth considering when you need more comprehensive Office password recovery capabilities.