How Excel Hidden Data Scanner works
Scan Excel workbooks for hidden sheets, external links, workbook properties, comments, custom XML, and privacy-risk workbook data. This guide explains the workflow in plain language so you know what happens before you upload, scan, clean, verify, and download.
Upload privately
Choose a supported XLSX file. The file is used for this job only and temporary uploads are scheduled for deletion.
Scan metadata
Excel Hidden Data Scanner checks file-specific metadata indicators and separates private findings from routine technical data.
Review the report
Use the scan-only report to decide whether the file is ready to share or needs a cleaner tool.
Verify before sharing
Use the verification tool or a matching cleaner if the report shows privacy-risk metadata.
What this tool checks
Private metadata
Author names, device fields, timestamps, location data, document properties, hidden comments, or provenance data depending on file type.
Technical data
Format, size, codec, dimensions, page count, and other compatibility data may remain because files need it to open correctly.
Verification status
Cleaner tools re-scan outputs and show whether removable private metadata is still detected by the current scanners.
Privacy-first workflow
- Temporary files are scheduled for deletion after the processing window.
- Reports focus on metadata categories instead of exposing your file content.
- Scan-only tools do not modify your original file.
- Cleaner tools create a new output file and keep the original separate.