FREE XLSX SHARING CHECK
Check Excel for Hidden Data and Metadata
An XLSX workbook can contain information outside the visible grid. CheckBefore inspects supported workbook structures and separates items that can be removed from those that need your judgment.
Private scan workspace
Check a file before it leaves your hands.
Start with 2 free checks — no account needed.Original stays unchanged.
Choose a file or drop it here
SUPPORTED COVERAGE
What can be detected
- Supported personal-information and exposed-secret patterns in visible and hidden worksheet text and formulas
- Hidden and very hidden worksheets, including a short supported cell preview
- Hidden rows and columns, with supported value or formula previews
- Cell comments or notes and their authors
- Author, last modified by, company, manager, title, subject, dates, and custom properties
- Detectable external targets, file-path references, external defined-name references, connections, embedded objects, VBA, ActiveX, and Excel 4.0 macro sheets
CLEAR NEXT STEPS
What can be cleaned—and what needs you
Workbook metadata and comments
Document properties, custom properties, and cell comments can be removed from a separately created XLSX copy.
Hidden sheets, rows, and columns
Hidden and very hidden areas are reported with supported previews, but remain unchanged because removing them could alter the workbook.
Links, connections, embedded and active content
Detectable external targets, connection records, embedded objects, macros, and ActiveX are flagged for review or manual handling.
EXAMPLE — NOT A LIVE SCAN
Example findings
Real results use the same label-and-value structure and depend on the file you select. These examples do not claim a risk score or finding count.
- Hidden worksheetForecast
- StateVery hidden
- ActionLeft for review
Supported cell-text patterns are checked locally; cells are not redacted.
- Worksheet
- Forecast — Very hidden
- Hidden range
- Budget row 18 — formula present
- Document property
- Last modified by — Example editor
ONE LOCAL WORKSPACE
How it works
- SelectChoose a supported file from this device.
- UnderstandReview the evidence and the stated scan limits.
- CleanCreate a separate copy with only supported items removed.
- RescanCheck the latest copy again and review anything left unchanged.
HONEST BOUNDARIES
What CheckBefore does not do
- It can flag supported personal-information and secret patterns in cell text and formulas, but it does not redact, rewrite, or anonymize workbook content.
- Hidden sheets, hidden rows or columns, external links, defined-name references, connections, embedded objects, and active content are not automatically removed.
- Password-protected or legacy binary Excel files cannot receive a complete XLSX check.
Frequently asked questions
Can it detect Very Hidden worksheets?
Yes. For supported XLSX files, the scanner distinguishes hidden worksheets from Very Hidden worksheets and leaves both unchanged for review.
Does it delete hidden sheets automatically?
No. Deleting or changing hidden areas can break formulas or workbook behavior, so CheckBefore reports them for your decision.
What can it clean from Excel?
The current cleaner can remove supported workbook metadata, custom properties, and cell comments from a new copy. It then rescans that copy.