Finding the right Excel password remover on GitHub depends on what specifically you need to unlock. Most tools fall into two categories: worksheet/workbook protection (which is easy to bypass via XML) or VBA project protection (which is slightly more complex). Top Community-Recommended Tools
These tools are lightweight, open-source, and specifically designed for common Excel unlocking tasks:
Excel Unlocker (C#): A highly portable tool that automates the removal of worksheet and VBA protection from .xlsx and .xlsm files by editing the underlying ZIP-structured XML.
Best for: Users who want a simple executable without installing Python or Java. View on GitHub: ajott/Excel-Unlocker
excel_unprotect (Bash Script): A script that extracts the Excel file, strips the sheetProtection tags, and re-zips it. Excel Password Remover Github
Best for: Linux or macOS users comfortable with the terminal. View on GitHub: johnparkerg/excel_unprotect
Excelled-web (Web App): A browser-based tool that performs the XML modification client-side, meaning your data never leaves your computer.
Best for: Quick one-off tasks without downloading any software. View on GitHub: AlecBlance/Excelled-web
Excel VBA Project Password Remover: Specifically targets password-locked VBA projects. Finding the right Excel password remover on GitHub
Best for: Unlocking macros and scripts when you've lost the VBA editor password. View on GitHub: Sorlas/Excel-VBA-Project-Password-Remover How to Use Most GitHub Removers
While each repository has its own instructions, most follow this general workflow: aziascreations/Excel-Worksheet-Password-Remover - GitHub
Now use hashcat (available on GitHub) to run a dictionary attack.
hashcat -m 9600 -a 0 hash.txt rockyou.txt
-m 9600 is the mode for MS Office 2013/2016/2019.-a 0 is a dictionary attack.rockyou.txt is a famous wordlist (pre-installed on Kali Linux).Q1: Can I remove the "Open" password from an Excel 2021 file using GitHub tools? A: Highly unlikely unless the password is in a dictionary. Modern Excel uses AES-256, which is the same encryption standard governments use. Step 2: Cracking with Hashcat Now use hashcat
Q2: Will these tools work on Excel for Mac?
A: Yes. The file structure (.xlsx) is identical across Windows and Mac. Python scripts work on all operating systems.
Q3: I ran the script, and it says "Protected," but the sheet is still locked.
A: Try a different repository. Some sheets use "Edit protection" versus "Cell lock protection." Look for a tool that specifically removes xl/worksheets/sheet1.xml protection nodes.
Q4: Is it safe to upload my Excel file to an online GitHub Codespace? A: No. Run the scripts locally. GitHub Codespaces is a cloud environment, and you have no control over who accesses the server logs.
Q5: What is the fastest method for a non-technical user?
A: Download a pre-compiled release from a trusted repository like Excel-Password-Remover (check the "Releases" tab for .exe). But scan the .exe with VirusTotal first.
README.md. Example: "This tool is for educational purposes and recovering your own lost passwords. Do not use on files you do not own."python batch_remove.py ./folder/
sheetProtection or workbookProtection XML tags from the underlying ZIP archive.Go to GitHub and search: excel password remover vba. Select the repository by Endothermic_Dragon or SunnyDesignor. Look for a file named password_remover.vba.
Use office2john.py from the JohnTheRipper GitHub repository (a famous password cracking suite). This script extracts the cryptographic hash from your Excel file.
python office2john.py secret_workbook.xlsx > hash.txt