365 doesn't recognize password to change workbook structure

Question

I bought a new PC last year. Loaded it with Microsoft 365. I had Office 2019 in my previous PC. Now Excel open my files but doesn't recognize my passwords to change Workbook Structure or view VBA code.

Answer 1

Hi Kai-H. Thanks for your interest in this matter. The only thing I have not tried is to delete the passwords in my old PC with 2019 because I don't have it anymore. Since 365 changes the passwords I will look for a PC with 2019 and do that.

Answer 2

Hi, Andrés Israeliantz

This usually means Excel is not dealing with the same type of protection the user expects, and workbook-structure protection and VBA project protection are checked separately. It can also happen if the file is fine but Excel on the new PC is handling trust settings or the file environment differently, and these passwords are case-sensitive.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

First, type the password into Notepad to verify the exact characters, keyboard language, Caps Lock, and NumLock, then paste it into Excel, since the password check is case-sensitive.

For the VBA side, it is recommended that the file be saved locally, then opened after enabling content or placing it in a Trusted Location, because Microsoft 365 can block VBA until the workbook is trusted.

If only certain files fail, it is also recommended to test by copying the sheets into a brand-new workbook and then moving the VBA code over, as copying the tab to a new workbook may resolve the protection problem for that file.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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