decrypt excel files
Question: Hi I have 1000 encrypted workbooks which I would like to decrypt by providing
a pwd. I could not find a decrypt method under apache poi or python's xlrd
module.

Does anyone know a library which could handle this (`wbc.decrypt(pwd)`). I
would prefer a lib i could you use from a unix box.

Thanks


Answer: Use the COM bindings to call the `Unprotect` method.

    
    
    import win32com.client
    
    excel = win32com.client.Dispatch('Excel.Application')
    
    workbook = excel.Workbooks.open(r'c:\mybook.xls', 'password')
    
    workbook.SaveAs('unencrypted.xls')
    

SaveAs can apply a new password. See: <http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/microsoft.office.tools.excel.workbook.saveas%28VS.80%29.aspx>

