why wont excel except my password ?

James Sekanick 0 Reputation points
2025-11-22T22:56:42.14+00:00

Why won"t Excel accept my password anymore ? It always has.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-11-22T22:56:52.2766667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    There could be several reasons why Excel is not accepting your password anymore:

    1. Incorrect Password: Double-check that you are entering the correct password. Ensure that Caps Lock is off and that you are using the correct capitalization.
    2. File Corruption: If the Excel file has become corrupted, it may prevent you from accessing it even with the correct password. Verify that the file format is valid and that it hasn't been corrupted.
    3. Protected Sheet: If you are trying to change something on a protected sheet, you will need to unprotect it first, which requires the correct password.
    4. Excel Installation Issues: If Excel or the Office apps are not properly installed, it might lead to unexpected behavior. Consider reinstalling Excel if other solutions do not work.
    5. Synchronization Issues: If the Excel file is synchronized with OneDrive, it may cause issues. Check if there are any synchronization problems that could be affecting access to the file.

    If you continue to experience issues, you may want to explore troubleshooting steps related to Excel errors or consider reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance.


    References:

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  2. Stara B 955 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-23T01:34:13.1566667+00:00

    Excel can refuse a password if the file became corrupted, the keyboard layout changed, the file was saved in a different format, or the password was entered with an unexpected space or special character.

    Here are a few quick things to try:

    • Confirm your keyboard layout and Caps Lock

    • Try opening the file on another device

    • Make a copy of the file and attempt to open that

    • Check if the file was recently converted or synced through cloud storage

    if the file is damaged, please use the info found on this link https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/repairing-a-corrupted-workbook-7abfc44d-e9bf-4896-8899-bd10ef4d61ab

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