Hashcat cannot read an Excel file directly; it needs the file's cryptographic signature.
For removing sheet protection or simple VBA passwords, GitHub tools are superior because they are instant and free. For recovering a lost file-open password on a critical business file, commercial software (or Hashcat on GitHub) is better because they invest in GPU acceleration. Excel Password Remover Github
GitHub remains a vital resource for recovery and research, offering transparent, community-vetted alternatives to expensive proprietary software. However, the move toward stronger in recent Microsoft Office versions means that simple XML "stripping" is increasingly limited to removing editing restrictions rather than cracking complex "open" passwords. Hashcat cannot read an Excel file directly; it