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How to Remove Excel VBA Project Password with/without Password

author_icon William Wilson time_icon Last updated: Oct 24, 2023 12:00 am tips_icon Excel

An Excel Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Project is a programming language that is utilized within Excel to develop simple programs. It is generally used to convert complicated or time-consuming jobs into automatic, time-saving processes, in turn improving the quality of the reporting process. These VBA projects, however, can at times be protected with a password, in order to protect its privacy or to avoid any breaching of the original working script. As a result, at times, it may be difficult to recall these passwords either because users have forgotten or misplaced the password or multiple other reasons. Hence, this article will highlight the various simple ways that can be used to unlock Excel VBA project password.

There are two types of cases that you may encounter while trying to unlock Excel VBA project passwords. We will be talking about both step-by-step.

Part 1: Remove Excel VBA Project Password without Knowing Password

You may take several approaches to get this done, three of which include the following:

1.1 Unlock Excel VBA Project Password in One Click for XLS/XLSM Files

Multiple vba project password removers are available in the market that can help you unlock password from Excel VBA project. One fine example is Passper for Excel which is a simple and effective solution for instantly getting rid of all the editing and formatting protections incorporated within the worksheet/workbook by a VBA code.

Passper for Excel uses advanced AI algorithms to intelligently identify issues in Excel files, allowing for the quick removal of read-only restrictions or cracking passwords.

Some of the major features of Passper for Excel include:

  • The VBA project password in your Excel workbook can be removed in one simple click.

  • It guarantees a 100% success rate.

  • Passper team concerns your data security. There won't be any data loss or data leakage during/after the removal process.

  • The program has a broad compatibility. It supports .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm, .xlsb, .xltx, .xltm file and etc created by Microsoft Excel.

In order to illustrate how simple it is to use this vba project password remover, we have prepared a detailed guide for you. At the first place, you need to download the program and install it on your computer.

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Step 1 Once installed, you need to choose "Remove Restrictions" option.

choose remove restriction mode

Step 2 Use the "Select a File" button to upload the password-protected Excel file. Once the file is added to the software, simply click the "Remove" option to get rid of the password protection from your Excel sheet.

import password protected excel file

Step 3 Within seconds, the VBA project password will be removed from your Excel workbook.

remove excel vba project password successfully

Passper for Excel is a powerful and trustworthy program to use. It has received positive reviews from users. Don't hesitate to use it.

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1.2 Unlock Excel VBA Project Password Online

Another approach to remove the password from VBA project in your Excel documents is the use of online service available over the web. One good example of such an online tool is the Office VBA Password Remover. This online tool helps to get rid of your protection but requires numerous steps to be followed. The procedure is as follows:

Step 1: Click "Open File" to upload your Excel file protected with VBA project password.

office vba password remover

Step 2: Click "Decrypt VBA" to confirm the download of the new document.

Step 3: Once downloaded, open the document. It will remind you that the project contains invalid key. Click "Yes" to continue.

vba project contains invalid key

Step 4: Press ALT+F11 to open the VBA project. Within the Macro window, you should not expand the project. Then navigate to Tools>VBA Project Properties.

Step 5: Go to Protection tab, set a new password of your choice and leave the checkbox selected.

Step 6: Save the document and close the VBA project.

Step 7: Open your Excel workbook again and repeat step 4.

Step 8: This time you need to clear the checkbox and password fields on the "Protection" tab.

Step 9: Save the document again. The password is now removed.

Cons of this method:

  • It will take time to upload your Excel file. Besides, there is no processing bar, thus, you are unable to know whether your file has been uploaded or not.

  • Uploading your Excel file to its website is not secure for your data, especially when your data is sensitive.

1.3 Remove Excel VBA Project Password Using HEX Editor

Hex Editor can be a handy tool if you wish to remove your Excel VBA project passwords manually. There are two different approaches required in order to remove the passwords based on the Excel file type extension. Before initiating the manual process, always remember to take a backup of Excel files that you are working with.

if you need to unlock vba project password without Hex Editor, then you can read the 1.1 and 1.2 methods mentioned above

If the file type is XLS files:

Step 1: Open the password-protected .xls file with a Hex Editor and search for the string "DPB".

Step 2: Replace "DPB" with "DPX".

remove excel vba project password with hex editor

Step 3: Save the file and then exit the editor.

Step 4: Next, open the file with Microsoft Excel. Multiple error notifications will pop up, which is normal. Make sure to click through them.

Step 5: Now press ALT+F11 to open VBA project window and click on VBAProject properties under the Tools menu.

Step 6: Under the Protection tab, change the password to something simple and easy to remember.

Step 7: Save the workbook and exit the window.

Step 8: Reopen your Excel workbook and then access VBA project window by pressing ALT+F11 and enter the password you just changed to. Repeat Step 6, however, this time you may remove the password.

Step 9: Save the workbook and now you have a password removed Excel file.

If the file type is XLSM files:

For .xlsm extensions, an additional step is required in the beginning. Following is a step-by-step guide for you.

Step 1: Change the file extension of your .xlsm file from .xlsm to .zip. Then open it with 7Zip or WinZip.

Step 2: Search and copy the "xl/vbaProject.bas" or "xl/vbaProject.bin" file out of the zip file. Make sure the zip folder is still open.

Step 3: Click and open the "xl/vbaProject.bas" or "xl/vbaProject.bin" file using a Hex Editor.

vbaproject bin file

Step 4: Search for the string "DPB" and replace it with "DPX".

Step 5: Save the file, and copy it back into Zip folder (you may drag the file and drop it within the folder).

Step 6: Now, compress all the files in the folder to a new Zip file. Then, change the file extension to .xlsm.

Step 7: Next, open the .xlsm file. Multiple error notifications will pop up. Just click "Yes" to continue.

Step 8: Press ALT+F11 to open VBA project and click on VBAProject Properties under the Tools menu.

Step 9: Open the Protection tab, remove the checkmark from "Lock project for viewing" and then press OK.

Step 10: Save the .xlsm file and close the window

Cons of this method:

  • There are many Hex Editors on the website. It's time consuming to choose a good one if you do not have any technical knowledges.

  • Some users reflected that they are unable to download the Hex Editor. Thus, this method is not always useful for you.

Part 2: Unlock Excel VBA Project Password with Known Password

This case is relatively easier to execute and is similar to our discussion above. For simple understandability, the procedure is outlined below:

Step 1: Open your Excel workbook with Microsoft Excel. Press Alt+F11 to access the VBA project.

Step 2: Navigate to Tools>VBAProject Properties. Enter the correct password in the VBAProject Password dialog.

vbaproject properties

Step 3: Go to the Protection tab, remove the checkmark from "Lock project for viewing" and clear the password in the following boxes.

remove excel vba project password with password

Step 4: Click "OK" and save your operation. That's all.

Conclusion

It can be a hideous task to remove VBA project password from Excel files. Using an easy to use and effective solution is always recommended when you're dealing with such files. This saves a lot of time and is the most convenient approach. Try Passper for Excel now and you will be greatly impressed by it!

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By William Wilson to Excel

Posted on Oct 24, 2023 ( Updated: Oct 24, 2023)

William Wilson, a blogger who is interested in MS Office software. In the past three years, William has been trying to write articles to help people better understand MS Office software.