For simple or commonly used passwords, the automated free scanner has a remarkably high success rate. It processes the file within seconds by scanning millions of known password combinations. 4. Broad Format Support
Founded in 2017, the service has built a reputation for being user-friendly and effective, particularly for recovering passwords on older Excel formats and simpler password protections. With a based on thousands of reviews, it's one of the most trusted names in the password recovery space. lostmypass ms excel password recovery best
: Runs entirely in your browser; no need to download potentially risky .exe files . For simple or commonly used passwords, the automated
Since it runs in a web browser, it works on Windows, macOS, and Linux without compatibility issues. How to Use LostMyPass for Excel Recovery Broad Format Support Founded in 2017, the service
Use tools like 1Password or Bitwarden to store spreadsheet passwords.
| Feature | LostMyPass (Online) | PassFab for Excel (Software) | Passware Kit Forensic (Software) | Free DIY Methods | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Cloud-based, no install | Download & install locally | Professional software, install locally | Manual (VBA, ZIP trick) | | Pricing Model | Pay only on success ($19.99–$49.99) | One-time license purchase | Expensive professional license, often subscription-based | Free | | Effectiveness | Very high for weak to moderately complex passwords; success not guaranteed for complex ones | High, with 97% advertised success rate using multiple attack modes | Extremely high, uses GPU clusters & 380+ file types; industry standard for forensics | Only works for sheet/workbook protection, not file-open encryption | | User Skill | Very easy, point-and-click in browser | Easy to moderate, requires understanding of attack types (Dictionary, Mask, Brute-force) | Advanced, designed for IT and forensic professionals | Moderate; requires editing VBA code or manipulating ZIP/XML structures | | Best For... | Users who want a low-risk, pay-only-if-it-works solution and prefer not to install software. | Users who need to recover passwords regularly and want a powerful, user-friendly software tool. | Large organizations, law enforcement, and IT security professionals needing to recover extremely complex passwords. | Users who have only sheet or workbook protection and are comfortable with manual technical steps. | | Real-World Speed | Fast for common passwords; brute-force time varies with complexity. | Varies: Dictionary attack can be very fast; brute-force on complex passwords can be slow. | Very fast due to GPU acceleration and advanced algorithms. | Instant for VBA scripts; manual ZIP method takes 5-10 minutes. | | Recent User Feedback | Overwhelmingly positive; users praise speed and the success-based model. Mixed feedback on free tier vs. paid success. | Widely used and positively reviewed for its high success rate and data safety. | Highly respected as the gold standard for forensic password recovery. | Established as a reliable free method but limited in scope to weaker protections. |
Open LostMyPass. Click > “MS Excel” . Navigate to your .xls or .xlsx file. The software will automatically detect the encryption type (e.g., “AES-128 – Office 365 detected” ).