Unprotect a worksheet

[Bryan]

Hi,

Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who created
the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it with
new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving the
sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet from
scratch?

thanks,
Bryan

[tony h]

have a look on

www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html

regards

[JE McGimpsey]

See

http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html

In article <[email protected]>,
Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who created
> the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it with
> new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving the
> sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet from
> scratch?
>
> thanks,
> Bryan

[Bryan]

Thanks,

I have done this and it worked a treat!

Thanks for your help,
Bryan

"JE McGimpsey" wrote:

> See
>
> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who created
> > the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it with
> > new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving the
> > sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet from
> > scratch?
> >
> > thanks,
> > Bryan
>

[Otto Moehrbach]

JE
I went to your site:
http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
Very useful.
I have one question. In the remarked-out text with the code, you say
"Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords".
You lost me there. What are "hashed passwords" and what are "original
passwords"? Thanks for your help. Otto
"JE McGimpsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> See
>
> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who
>> created
>> the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it
>> with
>> new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving
>> the
>> sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet
>> from
>> scratch?
>>
>> thanks,
>> Bryan

[Otto Moehrbach]

JE
A second question/problem. I made up a dummy file with 3 sheets. I
protected the file and each sheet with passwords, different passwords in
each case.
The code removed the sheet protections and the associated passwords, but
it did nothing about the workbook-open protection or password. In fact, a
MsgBox at the start said that the file did not have protection for workbook
structure or windows. When I now run the code again, the MsgBox says that
the file does not have sheet or workbook structure or window protection.
Did I miss something?
Thanks again for your help. Otto
"Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
> JE
> I went to your site:
> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
> Very useful.
> I have one question. In the remarked-out text with the code, you say
> "Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords".
> You lost me there. What are "hashed passwords" and what are "original
> passwords"? Thanks for your help. Otto
> "JE McGimpsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> See
>>
>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>>
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who
>>> created
>>> the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it
>>> with
>>> new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving
>>> the
>>> sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet
>>> from
>>> scratch?
>>>
>>> thanks,
>>> Bryan
>
>

[Otto Moehrbach]

JE
Now that I have read everything you wrote on your site, I take back my
last message. Thanks. Otto
"Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> JE
> A second question/problem. I made up a dummy file with 3 sheets. I
> protected the file and each sheet with passwords, different passwords in
> each case.
> The code removed the sheet protections and the associated passwords,
> but it did nothing about the workbook-open protection or password. In
> fact, a MsgBox at the start said that the file did not have protection
> for workbook structure or windows. When I now run the code again, the
> MsgBox says that the file does not have sheet or workbook structure or
> window protection.
> Did I miss something?
> Thanks again for your help. Otto
> "Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:%[email protected]...
>> JE
>> I went to your site:
>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>> Very useful.
>> I have one question. In the remarked-out text with the code, you say
>> "Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords".
>> You lost me there. What are "hashed passwords" and what are "original
>> passwords"? Thanks for your help. Otto
>> "JE McGimpsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> See
>>>
>>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>>>
>>> In article <[email protected]>,
>>> Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who
>>>> created
>>>> the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it
>>>> with
>>>> new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving
>>>> the
>>>> sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet
>>>> from
>>>> scratch?
>>>>
>>>> thanks,
>>>> Bryan
>>
>>
>
>

[Peo Sjoblom]

Otto,

I think both your questions has one answer;

I believe J.E.'s "original passwords" are the password you set under
file>save as, tools>general options and password to open and password to
modify


--

Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

http://nwexcelsolutions.com


"Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> JE
> A second question/problem. I made up a dummy file with 3 sheets. I
> protected the file and each sheet with passwords, different passwords in
> each case.
> The code removed the sheet protections and the associated passwords,
> but it did nothing about the workbook-open protection or password. In
> fact, a MsgBox at the start said that the file did not have protection
> for workbook structure or windows. When I now run the code again, the
> MsgBox says that the file does not have sheet or workbook structure or
> window protection.
> Did I miss something?
> Thanks again for your help. Otto
> "Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:%[email protected]...
>> JE
>> I went to your site:
>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>> Very useful.
>> I have one question. In the remarked-out text with the code, you say
>> "Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords".
>> You lost me there. What are "hashed passwords" and what are "original
>> passwords"? Thanks for your help. Otto
>> "JE McGimpsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> See
>>>
>>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>>>
>>> In article <[email protected]>,
>>> Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who
>>>> created
>>>> the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it
>>>> with
>>>> new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving
>>>> the
>>>> sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet
>>>> from
>>>> scratch?
>>>>
>>>> thanks,
>>>> Bryan
>>
>>
>
>

[Otto Moehrbach]

JE
Another comment/question. In your site you differentiate between
Workbook protection and File protection. I've always considered Workbook
and File to mean the same thing, but I understand the distinction that you
explain as regards protection.
When I protected the file, I did so with Tools - Options - Security tab,
typed in a password. All that was done before I saved the file. I then
saved and closed and opened the file and verified that I indeed needed a
password to open the file.
As I understand your explanation in your site, your code should have
removed my Workbook protection, but it didn't. Did I miss something? Otto
"Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> JE
> A second question/problem. I made up a dummy file with 3 sheets. I
> protected the file and each sheet with passwords, different passwords in
> each case.
> The code removed the sheet protections and the associated passwords,
> but it did nothing about the workbook-open protection or password. In
> fact, a MsgBox at the start said that the file did not have protection
> for workbook structure or windows. When I now run the code again, the
> MsgBox says that the file does not have sheet or workbook structure or
> window protection.
> Did I miss something?
> Thanks again for your help. Otto
> "Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:%[email protected]...
>> JE
>> I went to your site:
>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>> Very useful.
>> I have one question. In the remarked-out text with the code, you say
>> "Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords".
>> You lost me there. What are "hashed passwords" and what are "original
>> passwords"? Thanks for your help. Otto
>> "JE McGimpsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> See
>>>
>>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>>>
>>> In article <[email protected]>,
>>> Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who
>>>> created
>>>> the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it
>>>> with
>>>> new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving
>>>> the
>>>> sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet
>>>> from
>>>> scratch?
>>>>
>>>> thanks,
>>>> Bryan
>>
>>
>
>

[Gord Dibben]

Otto

There are several types of password protection.

1. Password to open the file. Can be set at File>Save As>Tools>General
Options.

2. Password on a protected worksheet. This is set at Tools>Protection>Protect
Sheet.

Many functions can be disabled using this type of protection.

3. Workbook Protection password. This is set at Tools>Protection>Protect
Workbook.

This protects the workbook from having sheets deleted and other functions
disabled.

4. VBA Project password to prevent viewers from looking at code modules.

NOTE: except for File to Open protection and VBA project passwords, most forms
of Excel protection are very weak and passwords can be easily cracked.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:19:26 -0400, "Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>JE
> Another comment/question. In your site you differentiate between
>Workbook protection and File protection. I've always considered Workbook
>and File to mean the same thing, but I understand the distinction that you
>explain as regards protection.
> When I protected the file, I did so with Tools - Options - Security tab,
>typed in a password. All that was done before I saved the file. I then
>saved and closed and opened the file and verified that I indeed needed a
>password to open the file.
> As I understand your explanation in your site, your code should have
>removed my Workbook protection, but it didn't. Did I miss something? Otto
>"Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> JE
>> A second question/problem. I made up a dummy file with 3 sheets. I
>> protected the file and each sheet with passwords, different passwords in
>> each case.
>> The code removed the sheet protections and the associated passwords,
>> but it did nothing about the workbook-open protection or password. In
>> fact, a MsgBox at the start said that the file did not have protection
>> for workbook structure or windows. When I now run the code again, the
>> MsgBox says that the file does not have sheet or workbook structure or
>> window protection.
>> Did I miss something?
>> Thanks again for your help. Otto
>> "Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:%[email protected]...
>>> JE
>>> I went to your site:
>>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>>> Very useful.
>>> I have one question. In the remarked-out text with the code, you say
>>> "Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords".
>>> You lost me there. What are "hashed passwords" and what are "original
>>> passwords"? Thanks for your help. Otto
>>> "JE McGimpsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> See
>>>>
>>>> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html
>>>>
>>>> In article <[email protected]>,
>>>> Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> Got a bit of a problem with a protected worksheet. The person who
>>>>> created
>>>>> the sheet has now left my company and we need to access it to update it
>>>>> with
>>>>> new formulas. Is it possible to do this without a password e.g. saving
>>>>> the
>>>>> sheet as a seperate name - or do we have to re-build the entire sheet
>>>>> from
>>>>> scratch?
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks,
>>>>> Bryan
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

[JE McGimpsey]

Passwords that you enter, of whatever length, are converted, or hashed,
into what is effectively a 12-character string, and stored in the
workbook, rather than what you entered.

There can be an essentially infinite number of passwords, but each one
will hash to one of the 194K 12-character strings. Since the original,
or user-entered, password is not stored, only a representation of the
hash can be determined (e.g., by brute-force attempts to unprotect the
worksheet), not the original password.


In article <#[email protected]>,
"Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I have one question. In the remarked-out text with the code, you say
> "Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords".
> You lost me there. What are "hashed passwords" and what are "original
> passwords"?

[Otto Moehrbach]

JE
Thanks for that. I understand it. Otto
"JE McGimpsey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Passwords that you enter, of whatever length, are converted, or hashed,
> into what is effectively a 12-character string, and stored in the
> workbook, rather than what you entered.
>
> There can be an essentially infinite number of passwords, but each one
> will hash to one of the 194K 12-character strings. Since the original,
> or user-entered, password is not stored, only a representation of the
> hash can be determined (e.g., by brute-force attempts to unprotect the
> worksheet), not the original password.
>
>
> In article <#[email protected]>,
> "Otto Moehrbach" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I have one question. In the remarked-out text with the code, you say
>> "Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwords".
>> You lost me there. What are "hashed passwords" and what are
>> "original
>> passwords"?