Whether you’ve forgotten the password or received a protected file from someone else, unlocking an Excel spreadsheet without the password may seem like an insurmountable challenge.

Learn how to unprotect Excel sheets or workbooks without a password using this simple step-by-step guide. No software required!

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If you see The file couldn't open in protected view error while opening Microsoft Excel, the fixes listed in this post will help you.

You can make Excel always open old spreadsheets in Protected View. Enable or disable Protected View using in-built setting, Group Policy, Registry.

If you have sensitive data you'd like to keep from prying eyes in a Microsoft Excel file, the easiest way to protect it is with Excel's built-in password tools.