Preventing other users from opening hidden worksheets

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pjk@boro - 30 May 2008 10:35 GMT

I have a workbook to which only i have the password. All other users open it
as "read only". Within the book are some hidden worksheets. However, even
when the book is opened as "read only", a user is able to unhide these
sheets. I've tried using "Tools-Options-View-Hide Tabs" &
"Format-Sheet-Hide", all to no avail.
Is there an easy way I can prevent this?
thanks in anticipation.

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Arvi Laanemets - 30 May 2008 11:14 GMT

Hi

Open VBA Editor (Ctrl+F11). Usually there will be VBA-Project Explorer
window, Properties window (both at left), and Code window (at right) opened.
When Properties window is closed, you can open it from View menu (Excel
2000).

In VBA Project window, select the sheet, you want to hide, and in Properties
window, set it's Visible property to xlSheetVeryHidden. Now the user can
make this sheet visible only from VBA-Project Properties window.

To prevent users meddle with VBA Project Properties too, right-click on your
VBA project in Project window (the object with your workbook name is
brackets), select VBA Project properties from drop-down, activate Protection
tab, check 'Lock Project from viewing', and set password.

(Store the password somewhere, or you may have some trouble later)

Signature

Arvi Laanemets
( My real mail address: arvi.laanemets<at>tarkon.ee )

>I have a workbook to which only i have the password. All other users open
>it
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Is there an easy way I can prevent this?
> thanks in anticipation.

Reply to this Message

Bob Flanagan - 30 May 2008 12:53 GMT

Be aware that password protection is extremely weak in Excel. Any user who
wants to can get at the hidden sheets, no matter how hidden, if they want
to. If a user should not see the data, then don't send it to them.

Robert Flanagan
Macro Systems
http://www.add-ins.com
Productivity add-ins and downloadable books on VB macros for Excel

>I have a workbook to which only i have the password. All other users open
>it
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Is there an easy way I can prevent this?
> thanks in anticipation.

Reply to this Message

Gord Dibben - 31 May 2008 00:25 GMT

Protect the workbook under Tools>Protection>Protect Workbook.

After you have hidden the sheet, that would be.

See Bob's caveat about Excel security.

Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

>I have a workbook to which only i have the password. All other users open it
>as "read only". Within the book are some hidden worksheets. However, even
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Is there an easy way I can prevent this?
>thanks in anticipation.

Reply to this Message