Protecting Document

**Barrera006** · 04-27-2014, 05:38 PM

Hi All,

I'm looking to protect a document from being copied as the data that is has within it is sensitive. I can hide sheets, password protect and have removed the "Save As" facility so covered off a few points. I am though conscious that the file could still be removed using "Copy" and "Paste" so want to only allow it to be used if it is within the desired location on the PC.

I am a complete novice to VBA but have found a link that was posted some years ago which seems to cover what I want but I have tried to install the code but its not working. I may be doing everything OK but the instructions need to be a little more "idiots guide" for me to understand. Would anybody know how to get it to work or another option please? The link is as below;

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/questio...3214412AAxtRD9

Your help is greatly appreciated.

**FDibbins** · 04-27-2014, 05:50 PM

Security in excel is weak at best. Many members here could get past excel security in minutes, so you may want to consider other programs/methods?

**TMS** · 04-27-2014, 06:09 PM

Ford is correct. The basic flaw in any macro driven security is that it is macro driven. You can work hard at trying to ensure the user enables macros, as in the example cited in your post.

For the typical user, it may be enough. But, if you hope to protect your Intellectual Property, you're wasting your time. Even if you put your raw data in a password protected Access Database, or whatever, you need to have code and the password in your workbook or code.

**stuzor** · 03-24-2015, 06:40 PM

This might be a bit late, but so many people seem to have these same problems you're having so I'll share for future reference. We've been building a tool called HiveLink to allow you to share your Excel spreadsheets without having to lose control of the sensitive data, macros, calculations etc.

It works by allowing you to create a lightweight version of your spreadsheet that still has the input and output interface but you remove the intellectual property that generates the outputs. HiveLink connects your users's input data from their lightweight spreadsheet with your original spreadsheet running safe and secure on your computer. It then processes the data with any macros you want, and returns the output result data back to the user's lightweight spreadsheet. You don't have to know any VBA or code, it's all guided by a wizard in an Excel ribbon and a desktop application to receive inputs and return outputs. You can learn more at our website, https://hivelink.io.