There was a utility ( I think MS provided it) for forgotten passwords in excel.
I have some spreadsheets archived from some very early xl days, (office pro 97)
Is there a way to open these spreadsheets if the password is lost ?

Try www.lostpassword.com

Hi,
Here is a link to Microsoft that you might have been thinking about. Unfortunately, it states it cannot be opened without the password.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292264

The site given by another Expert is a good one, but also lists many, many possibilities to try. I wish there was a much better answer for you!

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Best wishes,
fredg

There was a utility ( I think MS provided it) for forgotten passwords in excel.


Hmm, So Fred's answer is to point to a site that says it can't be done. AFTER I've given a link to a site that has the utilities to do it.

Sounds like your problem is solved. MS has always ignored/denied password workarounds that they did not intend. I'm sure adobe ignores the ones to unlock PDFs too. Its all the same, these companies want users to trust the product.