Strip XLSX Metadata

Remove author, company, custom properties, and comment author names from an Excel workbook in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

Choose an Excel workbook

Select one .xlsx or .xlsm file. Processing runs in this browser.

Click to choose a workbook
or drop one anywhere on the page
Supported: XLSX and XLSM

Remove personal metadata from an Excel workbook

Excel workbooks can retain names and organization details outside the visible cells. This tool clears the creator, last editor, print and document dates, company, manager, classic comment authors, and threaded-comment display names. It also removes the custom-properties part and its package references.

XLSX and XLSM files are OOXML ZIP packages. The tool rewrites only the listed XML parts and copies other package entries without changing their uncompressed data. It does not edit cell values, comment text, formulas, sheet protection, or shared-workbook revision history.

The workbook stays on your device

The file is processed by code running in your browser:

  • The workbook is read and rebuilt in the browser.
  • The static page has no server endpoint for workbook processing.
  • The source is available under the MIT license.
  • After the page has been cached, the tool can run without a network connection.

You can inspect your browser's Network panel while it runs; no request contains the workbook. Read the source.

How to use it

  1. Choose one workbook

    Select one .xlsx or .xlsm file, or drop it on the page.

  2. Review the result

    The workbook is rebuilt automatically. The result lists the metadata fields and values that were cleared.

  3. Save the cleaned copy

    The browser downloads a new file with “-cleaned” added to its name. Keep the original until you have checked the copy in Excel.

FAQ

Is my workbook uploaded?

No. The workbook is read and rebuilt in your browser. The page has no server component for processing files, and you can verify the requests in the browser's Network panel.

Which metadata does this tool remove?

It clears the creator, last editor, last printed time, created and modified dates, company, manager, classic comment author names, and threaded-comment display names. It deletes the custom-properties part and removes its content-type and relationship references.

Does it change cells, formulas, comments, or sheet protection?

It does not change cell values, formulas, comment text or position, or sheet protection. Comment author names are cleared. Shared-workbook revision history under xl/revisions is outside this version.

Does it support XLSM files with macros?

Yes. XLSM files are accepted and the macro project entry is copied without changing its uncompressed data. The downloaded file keeps the .xlsm extension. Check the resulting copy before replacing a signed or business-critical workbook.

Can it open a password-protected workbook?

No. Password-protected and encrypted workbooks are not supported. Save an unencrypted copy in Excel before using this tool.

Can personal information still remain in the workbook?

Yes. Names or other information may appear in cells, formulas, comment text, embedded files, external links, revision history, images, or XML parts not listed above. This tool only handles the stated metadata fields.

Does it work offline?

After the first visit has cached the app, it can process workbooks without a network connection. It can also be installed as a PWA.