Maintain Private Information

Originally Posted by Guirod

I am trying to protect certain cells on a worksheet from being referenced by other cells. I can prohibit the referencing within the workbook via macros, but I do not see how it is possible to prohibit people from formulating external references to my sheet cells. Does anyone have any ideas? It seems like it would be a reasonable feature that would not cause any security leaks...does it exist?

Hi,

Unfortunately Excel does not have strong security, and if someone opens your workbook with Macros disabled that's even less secure.
Protecting sheets with passwords works against those users that do not know macros and formulae exist.
Protecting VB code is a little stronger.
Presenting your figures in a .pdf with shaded dot-blotched background and vari-coloured print and varied font styles and sizes (to discourage OCR) is probably the best you can get.

hth
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Originally Posted by Guirod

I am thinking if I put the information on a very hidden sheet (2), and used vba to transfer the info to useable sheets when desired (on open or releasing security lockdown), and therefore I could have my formula's reference a "temporary" location. Then, on close or when locking down the workbook (macro security attempts) I could remove the info to the hidden sheet. I think this will work well, though it is irritating. Any better suggestions?

It will depend on the persons who have access to your workbook and their knowledge of Excel. A simple sheet protection passsword is sufficient for most, a very hidden sheet is better, but nothing is secure.

note, if your 'formulae' access temporary data, then removing that link will upset the formula on next 'calculate', if you use formula then copy and paste special = values before hiding and source. If you were using VB code then 'formula' has a diferent meaning.

hth
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