i have grappled w/ this for some time. i create programs that use excel
spreasheets as input sheets, have vba code in modules called w/ buttons,
then use excel spreadsheets as output (pretty typical of this group i would
guess).
my problem is i have noticed people copying these files to friends, etc. and
i would like to prevent this. i envision something like:
sub MainCode()
if computerID = 12983746abg12 then 'this is the key
else
msgbox "this code not allowed on this particular computer"
end
end if
'code here
end sub

the catch here is: is there a serial number, computer ID, or something that
is unique and not easily changed w/in each individual computer? you can
even assume nothing but stand alone pc's.
any other thoughts if this is not possible? thanks, mike allen

You could try and use the computer ID or user name or similar but in all
honesty it wont be that reliable. An easier method would be to store a
license key number in the registry and check for that - any reasonably long
number would do and most users wont go hunting for it. Youd need to make
sure you set a password for your VBA project as well though.

"mike allen" wrote:

i have grappled w/ this for some time. i create programs that use excel
spreasheets as input sheets, have vba code in modules called w/ buttons,
then use excel spreadsheets as output (pretty typical of this group i would
guess).
my problem is i have noticed people copying these files to friends, etc. and
i would like to prevent this. i envision something like:
sub MainCode()
if computerID = 12983746abg12 then 'this is the key
else
msgbox "this code not allowed on this particular computer"
end
end if
'code here
end sub

the catch here is: is there a serial number, computer ID, or something that
is unique and not easily changed w/in each individual computer? you can
even assume nothing but stand alone pc's.
any other thoughts if this is not possible? thanks, mike allen

that sounds good, but how do you store a license key number in the registry
and how do you have code check for it? thanks, mike allen
"chuckles" wrote in message
...
You could try and use the computer ID or user name or similar but in all
honesty it won't be that reliable. An easier method would be to store a
license key number in the registry and check for that - any reasonably
long
number would do and most users won't go hunting for it. You'd need to
make
sure you set a password for your VBA project as well though.

"mike allen" wrote:

i have grappled w/ this for some time. i create programs that use excel
spreasheets as input sheets, have vba code in modules called w/ buttons,
then use excel spreadsheets as output (pretty typical of this group i
would
guess).
my problem is i have noticed people copying these files to friends, etc.
and
i would like to prevent this. i envision something like:
sub MainCode()
if computerID = 12983746abg12 then 'this is the key
else
msgbox "this code not allowed on this particular computer"
end
end if
'code here
end sub

the catch here is: is there a serial number, computer ID, or something
that
is unique and not easily changed w/in each individual computer? you can
even assume nothing but stand alone pc's.
any other thoughts if this is not possible? thanks, mike allen

The simplest way is to use


SaveSetting (appname, section, key[, default])
GetSetting (appname, section, key[, default])

which writes to, reads from
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\
VB and VBA Program Settings\appname\section\key


so
SaveSetting "MyAPP", "Startup", "License", "12345"

You can obviosuly view this by running regedit.

the help files cover this in more detail


"mike allen" wrote:

that sounds good, but how do you store a license key number in the registry
and how do you have code check for it? thanks, mike allen
"chuckles" wrote in message
...
You could try and use the computer ID or user name or similar but in all
honesty it won't be that reliable. An easier method would be to store a
license key number in the registry and check for that - any reasonably
long
number would do and most users won't go hunting for it. You'd need to
make
sure you set a password for your VBA project as well though.

"mike allen" wrote:

i have grappled w/ this for some time. i create programs that use excel
spreasheets as input sheets, have vba code in modules called w/ buttons,
then use excel spreadsheets as output (pretty typical of this group i
would
guess).
my problem is i have noticed people copying these files to friends, etc.
and
i would like to prevent this. i envision something like:
sub MainCode()
if computerID = 12983746abg12 then 'this is the key
else
msgbox "this code not allowed on this particular computer"
end
end if
'code here
end sub

the catch here is: is there a serial number, computer ID, or something
that
is unique and not easily changed w/in each individual computer? you can
even assume nothing but stand alone pc's.
any other thoughts if this is not possible? thanks, mike allen

<snip

Another way to secure your code is to write a COM add-in. There is another
user group that tells you how to do this. It's not a simple matter, but if
the code is 'intellectual proporty, you should consider it.