Remove Sheet Protection From Excel Files

Drop your .xlsx or .xlsm file below. Worksheet and workbook protection markers are stripped in your browser — your file is never uploaded.

Drop your Excel file here

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100% client-side No signup Free forever No file size limit*

How it works

  1. 1. Drop your file

    Select any .xlsx or .xlsm workbook from your computer. Large files are fine — processing happens locally, so there's no upload bottleneck.

  2. 2. Protection markers are removed

    The tool opens the Excel file (which is a ZIP archive of XML) and removes the <sheetProtection> and <workbookProtection> elements. Everything else — formulas, formatting, charts, pivots, macros — is preserved exactly.

  3. 3. Download the unprotected copy

    A new file is downloaded with -unprotected appended to the name. Your original is untouched.

What this tool removes — and what it doesn't

Removes

  • Worksheet protection ("Protect Sheet" in Excel)
  • Workbook structure protection ("Protect Workbook")
  • Protection on chart sheets
  • Password-protected sheets (the password becomes irrelevant once the marker is removed)

Does not remove

  • File-open encryption ("Encrypt with Password" — AES-encrypted, password required)
  • VBA project passwords (separate scope)
  • Information Rights Management (IRM) restrictions
  • Read-only recommendations (you can already ignore those)

If Excel asks for a password before the file opens, the file is encrypted and this tool cannot help. If the password prompt appears only when you try to edit a sheet, this tool will work.

Why this is the most private way to do it

Most "online Excel unlocker" sites upload your file to their server. You have no way to verify what they do with it, whether they keep a copy, or whether they scan its contents. Spreadsheets often contain payroll, customer data, financials, or other sensitive material — sending them to an unknown server is a real risk.

This tool runs entirely in your browser. You can prove it: load this page, turn off Wi-Fi, and the tool still works. The JavaScript that performs the unlock is the only code involved, and it makes no network calls.

Frequently asked questions

Is this legal?

Yes, for files you own or have permission to modify. Sheet protection in Excel is documented by Microsoft as a guard against accidental edits, not a security feature. Removing it from your own workbooks is a normal workflow. Do not use this tool on files you have no right to modify.

What's the difference between sheet protection and a password-encrypted file?

Sheet protection (and workbook protection) is a flag stored inside the file that tells Excel to refuse edits. The file itself is fully readable. Password encryption ("Encrypt with Password") replaces the file's contents with AES-encrypted bytes — nothing can read it without the password. This tool handles the first, not the second.

Will this damage my file?

No. The tool only removes the specific XML elements that enforce protection. The rest of the file is left byte-identical, which is why Excel opens the result without complaint. Your original is never overwritten — you get a new file.

Does it work with .xlsm (macro-enabled) files?

Yes. Macros are preserved exactly. The tool does not touch the VBA project.

What about Google Sheets or LibreOffice files?

This tool is for Excel's .xlsx and .xlsm formats. .ods (OpenDocument) and Google Sheets use different formats and aren't supported.

Is there a file size limit?

Only what your browser can hold in memory. Files up to a few hundred MB usually work fine on desktop. Very large files may be slow on mobile.

Do you log anything?

No server log of your file is possible because your file never reaches a server. The site itself has standard web-server access logs (IP, page requested) from the hosting provider, and may show advertising. See the privacy policy for full detail.