Question

I have an excel spreadsheet that is password-protected. I need to open this spreadsheet and read the data from it. I’ve been attempting to use the POI API to no avail. A Java solution would be preferred but any ideas would be helpful.

Edit: Yes, I have the password. The file is password protected in excel; a password must be entered to view the spreadsheet.

Edit2: I am unable to open it with POI with the password, I am looking for an alternate solution.

Answer 1

You can use JExcelApi.

It has been a while since I have done this, so I may not be telling you how to do it correctly, but there is definitely a way to do this using JExcelApi. Try the source below:

Workbook workbook = Workbook.getWorkbook(new File("/path/to/protected.xls"));
workbook.setProtected(false);
WritableWorkbook copy = Workbook.createWorkbook(new File("/path/to/unprotected.xls"), workbook);
WritableSheet[] sheets = copy.getSheets();

for (WritableSheet sheet : sheets){
    sheet.getSettings().setProtected(false);
}

copy.write();
copy.close();

Of course, you will need to import necessary classes and catch necessary exceptions.