How to Protect an Excel File

Anyone know how to protect an Excel file? I'd like to sell the file online.

Goal
I would like to sell an Excel spreadsheet on my website, which is a Wordpress site, and "lock it” so that only paid users can use it.

Research
Here’s what I found so far:
- Woo Commerce Plugin - "Software Add-On" is available for software licensing. Cost: $129 USD? billed annually.
- Easy Digital Downloads Plugin - Software licensing extension is available. Cost $199 USD? billed annually.
- XLS Padlock - Uses an activation key to unlock spreadsheet. Works with Woo Commerce. Cost: 139 EUR.

Free Options
Unfortunately, no free options. Do you know if there are any?

Thank you in advance,
=L=

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http://www.ayedeal.com/vbash/

Thank you Logit. Unfortunately, the product you're suggesting isn't free. Nor is it Mac compatible.

I was looking for something more DIY. Need advice how I can do this myself.

Maybe an authorization key? Would have to be unique for each user.

Or a locked header? So printed reports show user's email.

Something that discourages sharing the file.

Thanks again,
=L=

.
As FDibbins has pointed out, Excel is extremely weak on the security side. There are tons of websites that describe how easily it is to circumvent the
built in security.

I am not aware of any programs / software / code that would protect a workbook compatible with the MAC. It may be out there but I haven't heard
of it.

The software I recommended from Ayedeal is the best method I've located to date that does a good job of obfuscating the code and protecting the
VBE from prying eyes.

As much as you probably would hate to ... consider switching to a Windows O/S and rebuild your project. Or, rebuild your project in a secure programming
language that requires compiling.

Sorry

FDibbins — Thank you. Yes, I think PW protection is necessary — for VBA Project Password — not the file. Unfortunately, If the file requires a PW, and I sell users the PW, then they can share the PW as easily as they share the file.

Logit — Thank you. I learned how to protect a header and footer with VBA code. The code was kindly shared here: extendoffice.com/documents/excel/4135-excel-protect-header-and-footer.html

The code sets the header and footer. I'd like to do the same and use a user's email address in the header or footer. But how can the user's email be automatically inserted into the code?

I don't want to manually change the code for each user. Better if the user's email is a variable.

I'm thinking, maybe this would work...

3-Step Process
1. Collect User's Email - This step is performed by Wordpress — not Excel — when a user pays for the file.
2. Prep an XLSM File on the Server - Preparing the user's file includes:

(a) Copying the master file

(b) Opening the copy

, and

(c) Setting a variable — in Excel — equal to the user's email

.
3. Save and Send XLSM Copy to User - The user's file is saved and sent to the user.

Variable
The variable set is step 2(c) assumes that the VBA code shared on extendoffice's website can be modified to use a variable. Currently, the code uses constants, or hard-coded values.

Next Steps?
So, I guess it boils down to this: Is the process doable? And can a variable be used in VBA?

=L=

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Leo D :

I would think your idea is doable without having created such here.

I'm concerned you have missed the point concerning Excel security. When creating a copy of the workbook to send to a customer, the programmer can incorporate all of
the various means of security desired however, once the customer has in their possession the actual workbook .... Excel's lack of security still exists. Security was your
original question and it still remains that Excel does not have any security.

Original question remains: "How to protect an Excel file?"

But I'd like to be more specific now: "How to set a VBA Project Password?"

Should I start a new thread?
=L=

Guys, I get it. Excel isn't secure. I'd still like to protect the file, or at least the VBA code.

As the saying goes, “A lock only keeps honest people out.”

All I want is to discourage the honest users.

Cool?