Resetvbapasswordserialnumber

How to Reset VBA Password Serial Number in Excel and Other Applications

If you use macros or write code in Excel, you may want to protect your VBA project with a password. However, sometimes you may forget the password or need to access a VBA project created by someone else. In this article, we will show you how to reset the VBA password serial number in Excel and other applications that support VBA.

resetvbapasswordserialnumber

What is a VBA Password Serial Number?

A VBA password serial number is a hexadecimal value that is stored in the VBA project file. It is used to encrypt and decrypt the VBA code and prevent unauthorized access. The password serial number is generated from the password that you enter when you protect your VBA project. However, the password itself is not stored in the file, so you cannot recover it directly.

How to Reset VBA Password Serial Number in Excel?

There are different methods to reset the VBA password serial number in Excel, depending on the file format and the version of Excel that you are using. Here are some common methods:

Method 1: Using a Hex EditorThis method works for both XLS and XLSM files. You will need a hex editor software, such as HxD, to edit the binary data of the file. The steps are as follows:

• Make a backup copy of your Excel file.

• Open your Excel file with a hex editor.

• Search for the string "DPB=" (without quotes) in the hex editor.

• Replace "DPB=" with "DPx=" (without quotes).

• Save the file and close the hex editor.

• Open your Excel file with Excel. You should see a message box saying that there is an error in the VBA project. Click "Yes" to continue.

• Go to the Developer tab and click Visual Basic. You should be able to access the VBA project without entering a password.

• Optionally, you can set a new password for your VBA project from the Tools > VBAProject Properties menu.

Method 2: Using 7-ZipThis method works for XLSM files only. You will need a file archiver software, such as 7-Zip, to extract and compress the contents of the file. The steps are as follows:

• Make a backup copy of your Excel file.

• Right-click your Excel file and choose 7-Zip > Open archive.

• Navigate to the xl folder inside the archive.

• Right-click the vbaProject.bin file and choose Edit.

• Search for the string "DPB=" (without quotes) in the text editor.

• Replace "DPB=" with "DPx=" (without quotes).

• Save the file and close the text editor.

• When 7-Zip asks you to update the archive, click "Yes".

• Close 7-Zip and open your Excel file with Excel. You should see a message box saying that there is an error in the VBA project. Click "Yes" to continue.

• Go to the Developer tab and click Visual Basic. You should be able to access the VBA project without entering a password.

• Optionally, you can set a new password for your VBA project from the Tools > VBAProject Properties menu.

Method 3: Using a VBA Password Remover SoftwareThis method works for both XLS and XLSM files. You will need a third-party software, such as SysTools VBA Password Remover, to remove the password from your VBA project. The steps are as follows:

• Download and install the software on your computer.

• Launch the software and click Browse to select your Excel file.

• Click Remove Password button and wait for the process to complete.

• Open your Excel file with Excel. You should be able to access the VBA project without entering a password.

• Optionally, you can set a new password for your VBA project from the Tools > VBAProject Properties menu.

How to Reset VBA Password Serial Number in Other Applications?

The methods described above can also be applied to other applications that support VBA, such as Word, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, etc. However, the file formats and the locations of the VBA project files may vary depending on the application. For example, for Word documents, the file format is DOCM and the VBA project file is located in the word folder inside the archive. For PowerPoint presentations, the file format is PPTM and the VBA project file is located in the ppt folder inside the archive. For Access databases, the file format is ACCDB and the VBA project file is located in the root folder of the archive. You can use a hex editor or 7-Zip to edit these files and reset the VBA password serial number as explained above.

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown you how to reset the VBA password serial number in Excel and other applications that support VBA. This can help you access and modify the VBA code in case you forget or lose the password. However, you should also be aware that this method can compromise the security of your VBA project and make it vulnerable to unauthorized changes or malicious attacks. Therefore, you should always backup your files before attempting to reset the VBA password serial number and use a strong password to protect your VBA project afterwards.