There are 3 groups of security in Microsoft Excel 2007+ files using 6 types of passwords:
Group 1: File passwords
1. Password-to-open allows file access to authorized users only: Password-to-open encrypts the entire Excel workbook.
2. Password-to-modify doesn't use any encryption: It is used for file collaboration with content viewers you trust, but is not designed to make the document any more secure.
Group 2: Workbook passwords
3. The workbook password prevents changes in the structure of the workbook (inserting, deleting, hiding etc sheets).
4. The worksheet password prevents modifications in worksheet or chart sheet contents.
5. The shared workbook password prevents changes to the workbook.
Group 3: VBE
6. The VBA project editor password to prevent viewing and changing VBA code.
Group 1: File passwords
1. Password-to-open allows file access to authorized users only: Password-to-open encrypts the entire Excel workbook.
2. Password-to-modify doesn't use any encryption: It is used for file collaboration with content viewers you trust, but is not designed to make the document any more secure.
Group 2: Workbook passwords
3. The workbook password prevents changes in the structure of the workbook (inserting, deleting, hiding etc sheets).
4. The worksheet password prevents modifications in worksheet or chart sheet contents.
5. The shared workbook password prevents changes to the workbook.
Group 3: VBE
6. The VBA project editor password to prevent viewing and changing VBA code.
It is a well known fact that Excel passwords can be guessed or cracked by commercial programs, which are purpose built for password recovery. The are several reasons behind Excel's (or MS-Office in general) weak security and one of them is certainly poor user passwords.
After all, an iron-clad security may have been a curse rather than a blessing for most practical reasons. Personally, I have been locked out of my files several times by losing the passwords I used months or years ago. A non-accessible Excel file may easily be translated to weeks of lost work. Backup files would be of no help, if there are locked too !
After all, an iron-clad security may have been a curse rather than a blessing for most practical reasons. Personally, I have been locked out of my files several times by losing the passwords I used months or years ago. A non-accessible Excel file may easily be translated to weeks of lost work. Backup files would be of no help, if there are locked too !
- Password to open file: How to use it and recovered it.
- Worksheet & Workbook protection: Free VBA code to unprotect sheets & workbook.
- VBA project protection: Security tips.
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Word file for download (20 pages)
2007 Microsoft Office System Document Encryption | ||
Disclaimer
Please use password recovery utilities with MS-Office for legal purposes according to international and laws in your country. The articles in this section are presented for informational purposes only.
