a link from stackoverflow, The last two steps is very important,
Or you will encounter 40230 again and again.
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/272503/how-do-i-remove-the-password-from-a-vba-project
excerpt:
- Open xls file with a hex editor. (very simple use hexedit.exe from http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~prewett/hexedit/)
- Search for DPB
- Replace DPB to DPx
- Save file.
- Open file in Excel.
- Click "Yes" if you get any message box.
- Set new password from VBA Project Properties.
- Close and open again file, then type your new password to unprotect.