How to Use PassFab for Excel to Remove Workbook and Sheet Passwords

PassFab for Excel Review: Features, Pricing, and PerformancePassFab for Excel is a specialized utility designed to remove or recover passwords from Microsoft Excel files. It’s aimed at users who have lost or forgotten workbook or worksheet passwords, IT administrators needing access to legacy files, and professionals who require a fast recovery solution without advanced technical knowledge. This review covers the core features, pricing options, performance, usability, compatibility, security considerations, and a brief verdict.

What PassFab for Excel does

PassFab for Excel focuses on two primary functions:

• Recovering forgotten opening passwords for encrypted Excel files (so you can open protected workbooks).
• Removing or bypassing worksheet/workbook protection that restricts editing, formatting, or accessing particular cells/sheets.

Key features

• Password recovery methods: PassFab supports multiple attack types for recovering opening passwords:

  • Dictionary attack — uses wordlists (good if the password is a common word or phrase).
  • Brute-force attack — systematically tries every possible combination (guaranteed but can be very slow for complex passwords).
  • Mask attack — narrows brute force by using known patterns (e.g., length, known prefixes/suffixes), speeding recovery when partial information is known.

• Protection removal: For worksheet/workbook protection that prevents editing, PassFab can typically remove the protection without needing the original password.

• GPU acceleration: The software can leverage GPU resources (if supported) to accelerate certain attack types, significantly reducing recovery time for some passwords.

• Resume/Save sessions: Long-running recoveries can be paused and resumed later without losing progress.

• Simple UI: A guided, step-by-step interface aimed at non-technical users.

• Batch processing: Ability to queue multiple files for protection removal or recovery (availability depends on product version).

Supported file formats and compatibility

• Compatible with modern Excel formats (.xlsx, .xlsm) and older formats (.xls).
• Works on Windows (most versions from Windows 7/8/10/11; check current system requirements on the vendor site).
• Integration with different Excel versions depends on file encryption used by those versions; PassFab targets common Excel encryption schemes.

Pricing and licensing

PassFab typically sells through one-time license purchases and sometimes subscription options. Common licensing tiers include:

• Single-user license (1 PC) — basic, lower-cost option for home users.
• Multi-user or business licenses — higher cost, allows installation on multiple machines or for team use.
• Lifetime vs. annual — some offerings are one-time purchases with lifetime updates, while others are annual subscriptions.

Exact pricing fluctuates with promotions and updates; check PassFab’s official store for current prices, discounts, and refund policies. Trial versions usually exist but limit functionality (e.g., show recovered passwords partially or permit protection removal but not full recovery until activated).

Performance

• Speed depends heavily on password complexity, chosen attack type, and system hardware (especially GPU).
• For simple passwords (short, common words), dictionary and mask attacks often recover passwords in minutes.
• Complex, long, randomized passwords may be effectively impossible in reasonable time with brute force, even with GPU acceleration. In such cases, PassFab’s success depends on luck or available clues to narrow the search (mask or targeted dictionaries).
• Performance is better on systems with modern CPUs and GPUs; older machines will be slower.

Usability

• Installation is straightforward on Windows.
• The UI guides users through selecting the file, choosing an attack method, and starting recovery.
• Clear progress indicators and estimated time-to-complete are provided, though estimates for brute-force jobs can vary widely.
• Documentation and FAQs are available on the vendor site; support channels (email/support ticket) are typically offered for licensed users.

Security and privacy

• The tool operates locally on your machine (no cloud upload required) when used in standard mode, meaning files remain on your device during recovery/removal. Always confirm this behavior in the version you download.
• Because password recovery touches sensitive files, using the official installer from the vendor’s site and keeping software up-to-date reduces security risks.
• If using dictionary lists or importing files for batch jobs, ensure those resources are from trusted sources.

Pros and cons

When to use PassFab for Excel

• You forgot the password to an important Excel workbook and need to regain access.
• You have protected sheets that block editing but you possess legitimate ownership or authorization to remove protection.
• You need a user-friendly, Windows-based solution rather than manual password-cracking tools.

Alternatives to consider

• Native Microsoft recovery: If you remember enough metadata (previous versions, backup copies, or account recovery), restore from backups or cloud versions (OneDrive/SharePoint) where protection may be absent or different.
• Other third-party tools: Several competitors offer similar functionality — compare performance, pricing, and support before purchase.
• Recreating the workbook: If recovery fails and the data is accessible in other forms, sometimes rebuilding the workbook is faster than recovering a strong password.

Verdict

PassFab for Excel is a practical, user-friendly tool for recovering or removing Excel passwords in many common scenarios. It’s most effective for short or moderately complex passwords, especially when you can supply hints (mask/dictionary). For extremely strong, random passwords, any recovery tool — including PassFab — may be unable to complete recovery within reasonable time. For Windows users seeking a straightforward recovery solution with resume capabilities and GPU support, PassFab is a solid option worth trying (start with the trial to confirm compatibility and effectiveness for your files).