Before you consider starting from scratch (or throwing your laptop), there is a specialized "digital locksmith" for this exact scenario: LostMyPass Why it’s a go-to for Excel recovery: The "Weak Password" Shortcut:

Because it runs in a browser, you can initiate a recovery from your phone or tablet.

It’s widely cited for having a high success rate on modern encryption that older tools simply can't crack [2, 3]. The Bottom Line:

For users who remember partial details (e.g., length or specific characters), which can significantly speed up the process. User Reputation & Verification

A common "verified" workaround involves uploading the file to Google Sheets , which often strips sheet-level protection upon import.

No risk of downloading viruses or malware to your local computer.

The claim that a service can "recover" or "verify" recovery of Excel passwords can be true for many cases, especially for older or weak passwords, but its reliability depends on file format, password strength, and the provider’s methods. Treat vendor "verified" statements skeptically, prioritize privacy and legal/ethical use, and prefer local recovery tools or well-documented, reputable services when dealing with sensitive spreadsheets.

: Using any online password recovery service requires uploading your potentially sensitive Excel files to a third-party server. While LostMyPass uses HTTPS and encrypted storage, some users may still be uncomfortable with this. The company offers an alternative: you can send the hash value of your file instead of the file itself, though this requires contacting customer support.

Initial step to ensure legitimate access.

LostMyPass utilizes a multi-tiered approach to password recovery, optimizing for both speed and success rates based on the complexity of the password. 1. Weak Password Recovery (Free)

One of the key selling points of LostMyPass is its verified reputation across multiple independent platforms.

LostMyPass is a specialized online platform designed to recover lost passwords for Microsoft Excel files (.xls, .xlsx, .xlsm) without requiring any software installation. It leverages massive GPU clusters to perform high-speed brute-force and dictionary attacks far beyond the capabilities of a standard office PC. Recovery Methods & Success Rates

) that uses a cluster of GPU servers to test millions of combinations. It has a reported success rate of about Brute Force with Mask