Can You Recover a Lost Password from a Password-Protected Word or Excel Document Without Losing the File?

Yes—if the Word or Excel file is yours, recovering the file-open password does not erase the document. You get the string that opens the same container, then save a copy in Microsoft Office.

A damaged file is a different problem. Random AES-256 passwords may never open. Only documents you lawfully possess.

What is recovered

Type What happens
File-open password Usual Catpasswd Office job; file bytes stay
Protect sheet / modify password Not always the same lock; do not assume one upload clears every restriction
“Password remover” that rewrites the file May change the file; prefer a service that returns the password

Catpasswd Office: upload or hash extract, free or Professional (pricing), email, open locally, destroy the task (privacy).

Will the file be lost?

Situation Outcome
Intact file, forgotten open password Document remains; you still need the password or a backup
You uploaded a copy Disk copy unchanged; purge the cloud task
Hash extract only Original stays on the PC
Corrupt container A password will not repair missing parts
Random AES-256 password You may never open it

Steps (keep a backup)

Step Action
1 Copy the .xlsx / .docx
2 Upload the copy, or extract a hash
3 Wait for email; open in Excel/Word
4 Destroy the cloud record

Other Office-oriented pages: OfficePassword.net, Office Password Remover. Desktop: Passware, Elcomsoft, PassFab, Passper.

Free vs paid (success, security, queue): Free vs paid Office recovery.

FAQ

Does recovery change formulas or text?

No. It searches for the open password.

Can I skip install?

Yes. GPU acceleration is on the server.

Sources