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Microsoft Excel is one of the most popular spreadsheet applications in the world. It allows users to create, edit and analyze data, but sometimes users may forget their passwords for protection. Losing access to an important Excel workbook can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are many Excel password recovery tools available that can help you retrieve your lost Excel passwords. In this blog post, we review the top 7 Excel password recovery software options so you can choose the best one for your needs.
What is Excel Password Recovery Software?
Excel password recovery software is designed to help users regain access to password-protected Excel files. These tools use advanced algorithms to break the password and provide access to the data in Excel workbooks. The software is essential for professionals who rely on Excel spreadsheets for daily work. Excel password recovery software can save hours of time, effort, and frustration by promptly unlocking your Excel files.
Factors Affecting Excel Password Recovery Time
- Password Complexity: A simple password (e.g., "1234" or "password") can be cracked quickly, while a more complex password with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols might take longer.
- Password Length: Shorter passwords are generally faster to crack than longer ones.
- Attack Mode Used: As mentioned earlier, the Dictionary Attack is generally the fastest if the password is a recognizable word or phrase. A Brute Force Attack, especially without any provided hints, can take much longer.
- Hardware: The speed of the computer’s CPU and GPU can significantly affect the recovery time. Faster and more advanced hardware will naturally process password combinations more quickly.
- Software Optimization: Dr.Excel’s efficiency in password recovery can be attributed to its optimized algorithms that take advantage of modern hardware capabilities and advanced techniques.
Top 7 Best Excel Password Recovery Software Recommendation
1. iSeePassword Dr.Excel
iSeePassword Dr.Excel is the most recommended Excel password recovery software on the market. It uses advanced algorithms to recover lost passwords from Excel workbooks. Users can choose from four password attack modes including, dictionary attack, mask attack, brute force attack, and smart attack. Plus, this software has a simple and user-friendly interface making it perfect for novice users.
Dr.Excel Core Features:
- Recover Forgotten Passwords: If you’ve forgotten the password to an Excel workbook or worksheet, Dr.Excel can help you recover it.
- Instant Removal: Dr.Excel can instantly remove protection from Excel worksheets or workbooks, allowing users to edit, copy, and modify the content without restrictions.
- Preserves Data Integrity: When removing protection, the software ensures that the data remains intact and unaltered.
The software typically employs various password recovery techniques, including dictionary attacks, brute force attacks, and mask attacks, to enhance the chances of retrieving your password.
- Dictionary Attack: This method uses a predefined list of words and phrases, trying each one as a potential password. It’s efficient when users have passwords that are actual words or commonly used phrases.
- Brute Force Attack: This mode tries all possible combinations of characters to retrieve the password. While it’s thorough, it can be time-consuming, especially if the password is long or complex.
- Mask Attack: If the user recalls a portion of the password or its structure, a mask attack can be employed. This method significantly narrows down the number of attempts by focusing only on the combinations that fit the provided clues or "mask."
Dr.Excel managed to recover an open password from Excel within such a short timeframe in my tests, it speaks volumes about the tool’s efficiency and capability. My test results underscore Dr.Excel’s advanced algorithms and optimization. The software seems to be engineered to maximize the speed of password recovery without compromising on success rate.
It’s also worth noting that the hardware on which you ran Dr.Excel could have contributed to the speed. Modern computers with powerful CPUs and GPUs can significantly enhance the rate of password recovery.
Pros:
- Effective recovery rate
- High-speed recovery
- Various recovery modes
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- No free trial version
Video Tutorial:
2. iSumsoft Excel Password Refixer
iSumsoft Excel Password Refixer is another excellent Excel password recovery software. It offers three password attack modes: brute force attack, dictionary attack, and smart attack. This software has a recovery rate of up to 95%, ensuring that you can recover your Excel workbooks with ease.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Effective recovery rate
- Multiple recovery modes
- Fast recovery speed
Cons:
- No free trial version
3. Stellar Phoenix Excel Password Recovery
Stellar Phoenix Excel Password Recovery is a reliable Excel password recovery software. It offers four password attack modes: brute force attack, mask attack, dictionary attack, and smart attack. The software allows users to set password parameters like minimum and maximum length, upper and lower case letters, and special characters for better results.
Pros:
- Fast password recovery
- Choose specific character combinations
- Easy to use
Cons:
- No free trial version
- Some features available in paid version only
4. Accent EXCEL Password Recovery
Accent EXCEL Password Recovery is a reliable password recovery software that can recover passwords from Excel files quickly. The software uses advanced algorithms to break the password and provides excellent results. It offers four password attack modes including brute force attack, dictionary attack, hybrid attack, and mask attack.
Pros:
- Great recovery speed
- User-friendly interface
- Various recovery modes
Cons:
- No free trial version
- High price tag
5. Password-Find
Password-Find is a password recovery software that guarantees to recover passwords for Excel workbooks. This software is popular among professionals for its high-quality password recovery. The password-finding process is carried out on their servers, ensuring confidentiality of the files.
Pros:
- Guaranteed recovery
- High-quality password recovery
- No software download required
Cons:
- Slow password finding process
- Requires an internet connection
- Expensive pricing policy
6. Excel Key
Excel Key is password recovery software specifically designed to recover passwords from Excel workbooks. The software offers comprehensive recovery modes with great simplicity. Excel key provides a trial version so users can try before buying, giving them the freedom to decide whether the software meets their needs.
Pros:
- Various recovery modes
- Easy to use
- Great customer support
Cons:
- Slow recovery speed
- Priced slightly higher than its competitors
7. Excel Password Recovery Lastic
Excel Password Recovery Lastic is a reliable Excel password recovery software that offers a user-friendly interface and multiple password recovery options. Users can choose from four password recovery methods: brute force, mask, dictionary, and SMART. With their friendly UI design, even inexperienced users can operate the software easily.
Pros:
- UI is very user-friendly
- Supports multiple encryption types
- High recovery rate
- No data is overwritten or modified
Cons:
- Free trial version available to restore up to 3 characters
- Some features available in paid version only
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Software | FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | CUSTOMER SUPPORT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passper for Excel | No | $19.95 – $39.95 | Easy | 10/10 | 24/7 support |
| iSumsoft Excel Password Refixer | No | $24.95 – $49.95 | Easy | 8/10 | Email Support |
| Stellar Phoenix Excel Password Recovery | No | $29.00 – $89.00 | Easy | 7/10 | 24/7 support |
| Accent EXCEL Password Recovery | No | $30.00 – $60.00 | Easy | 7/10 | Email Support |
| Password-Find | No | $39.00 – $99.00 | Easy | 6/10 | Email Support |
| Excel Key | Yes | $39.00 – $99.00 | Easy | 7/10 | Email Support |
| Excel Password Recovery Lastic | Yes | $29.95 – $59.95 | Easy | 7/10 | Email Support |
Our Thoughts on Excel Password Recovery Software
Excel password recovery software is a life-saver for those who work with Excel files frequently. These software options are great tools to recover passwords and access protected Excel spreadsheets. Among the seven products reviewed here, Passper for Excel is our top pick. The software has impressive features, including a high recovery rate, speedy recovery, user-friendly interface, and exceptional customer support. It offers excellent value for money and works with all Excel versions. We recommend it for novices and professionals alike.
How to Choose the Best Excel Password Recovery Tool?
Choosing the best Excel password recovery tool requires a combination of understanding your needs, the capabilities of the tool, and some technical insight. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed choice:
1. Determine Your Needs:
- Recovery or Removal: Some tools specialize in recovering lost passwords (i.e., telling you the original password), while others simply remove or bypass the password protection. Decide which one you need.
- Type of Protection: Excel files can have two types of password protection – one for opening the file and another for editing (worksheet/workbook protection). Ensure the tool you’re considering can handle the type of protection you’re dealing with.
2. Check Compatibility:
- Excel Version: Different Excel versions use different encryption methods. Make sure the tool supports the specific version of your Excel file (e.g., Excel 2010, 2016, 2019).
- Operating System: Ensure the tool is available and optimized for your operating system (Windows, macOS, etc.).
3. Evaluate Recovery Methods:
- Types of Attacks: Good password recovery tools provide various attack modes, like Brute Force, Dictionary, and Mask Attack. Multiple methods increase the chances of successful recovery.
- Customization: Some tools allow you to provide hints, which can significantly speed up the recovery process.
4. Speed & Efficiency:
- Recovery Time: Consider tools that offer faster recovery speeds, especially if you’re dealing with business-critical files. As always, remember that the complexity of the password will influence the recovery time.
- Hardware Acceleration: Some advanced tools utilize GPU acceleration to enhance the speed of password recovery.
FAQs about Excel Password Recovery Software
Q: Can I recover an Excel file password without using any software?
A: Unfortunately, you cannot recover an Excel file password without using any software if you have lost or forgotten it. Excel password recovery software breaks the encryption and gives access to the file data.
Q: Does the free trial version limit the password length to be recovered?
A: Both Excel Key and Excel Password Recovery Lastic free trial versions limit the length of the password you can recover. The free version of Excel Key is limited to three characters, while Excel Password Recovery Lastic can restore up to five characters.
Q: How long does it take to recover a password?
A: The recovery time depends on the password length, complexity, and encryption level of the Excel file. However, most Excel password recovery software can crack the password within minutes.
Q: Will the software damage my Excel files?
A: No, Excel password recovery software will not damage or destroy your Excel files. The software recovers the password without affecting the original data in the file.
Q: Can I recover passwords for other Microsoft Office applications using Excel password recovery software?
A: No, Excel password recovery software is designed to recover passwords only for Excel workbooks. However, some software like Passper for Excel can recover passwords for other Microsoft Office applications.
In Conclusion
Losing access to password-protected Excel files can be very frustrating, especially for professionals who rely on Excel for work. Excel password recovery software is reliable and effective in recovering lost passwords. Based on our review, Passper for Excel is the best option for recovering and accessing your Excel workbooks. Its high recovery rate, user-friendly interface, and exceptional customer support make it the go-to software for password recovery.