Anyone have some idea, tricks, code, suggestions, examples of how to
reduce if not prevent Excel-based products (like an Excel Template)
from being used by a person who did not buy it (i.e., illegal copying
and sharing)?


--
fallingrock
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=391909

The only way is to have some executable with key code in that so that it
cannot be broken into, such as a DLL or a COM addin.

--

HTH

RP
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)


"fallingrock"
wrote in message
...

Anyone have some idea, tricks, code, suggestions, examples of how to
reduce if not prevent Excel-based products (like an Excel Template)
from being used by a person who did not buy it (i.e., illegal copying
and sharing)?


--
fallingrock
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fallingrock's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=25756
View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=391909

Physical denial is about the only sure way.

There are password crackers for every built in protection mechanism.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy

"fallingrock"
wrote in message
...

Anyone have some idea, tricks, code, suggestions, examples of how to
reduce if not prevent Excel-based products (like an Excel Template)
from being used by a person who did not buy it (i.e., illegal copying
and sharing)?


--
fallingrock
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fallingrock's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=25756
View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=391909

I don't disseminate any of my projects but only produce them for work and
install them on our system. To prevent a staff member from taking one of them
if/when they leave the company, I include code in the Workbook_Open event
that looks for a simple text file and code phrase inside that file. If it
cannot be found then it won't open. They can make copies all they like but
can't open them outside of this environment. The people who would take my
stuff arn't skilled enough to crack VBProject protection.

Regards,
Greg



"fallingrock" wrote:


Anyone have some idea, tricks, code, suggestions, examples of how to
reduce if not prevent Excel-based products (like an Excel Template)
from being used by a person who did not buy it (i.e., illegal copying
and sharing)?


--
fallingrock
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fallingrock's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=25756
View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=391909

The only problem with events is that they are macros and anyone can open a
workbook and turn macros off.

They may not be able to get to the VBE code (???), but they can get to all
the worksheets...
(or some one could).

It all depends on the people...

For the most part - protection only helps prevent "accidents".

--
steveB

Remove "AYN" from email to respond
"Greg Wilson" wrote in message
...
I don't disseminate any of my projects but only produce them for work and
install them on our system. To prevent a staff member from taking one of
them
if/when they leave the company, I include code in the Workbook_Open event
that looks for a simple text file and code phrase inside that file. If it
cannot be found then it won't open. They can make copies all they like but
can't open them outside of this environment. The people who would take my
stuff arn't skilled enough to crack VBProject protection.

Regards,
Greg



"fallingrock" wrote:


Anyone have some idea, tricks, code, suggestions, examples of how to
reduce if not prevent Excel-based products (like an Excel Template)
from being used by a person who did not buy it (i.e., illegal copying
and sharing)?


--
fallingrock
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fallingrock's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=25756
View this thread:
http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=391909

I agree Steve. But in my case, the code is all I am concerned about.
Typically, the code is the important issue for developers. In my case, the
data isn't confidential and anyone can setup worksheet formattng. And my
projects are basically dysfunctional without the code.

Worksheet and workbook (as opposed to file open) protection can be broken in
seconds for those in the know. When I think of the people in my office and in
my industry who potentially would want my stuff, except for our IT guy, few
if any could even break worksheet protection. They wouldn't even know how to
implement VBA code. Therefore, the strategy I mentioned is of value for most
situations. After spending a zillion hours developing something we tend to
overestimate its perceived value to others.

Regards,
Greg

"STEVE BELL" wrote:

The only problem with events is that they are macros and anyone can open a
workbook and turn macros off.

They may not be able to get to the VBE code (???), but they can get to all
the worksheets...
(or some one could).

It all depends on the people...

For the most part - protection only helps prevent "accidents".

--
steveB

Remove "AYN" from email to respond
"Greg Wilson" wrote in message
...
I don't disseminate any of my projects but only produce them for work and
install them on our system. To prevent a staff member from taking one of
them
if/when they leave the company, I include code in the Workbook_Open event
that looks for a simple text file and code phrase inside that file. If it
cannot be found then it won't open. They can make copies all they like but
can't open them outside of this environment. The people who would take my
stuff arn't skilled enough to crack VBProject protection.

Regards,
Greg



"fallingrock" wrote:


Anyone have some idea, tricks, code, suggestions, examples of how to
reduce if not prevent Excel-based products (like an Excel Template)
from being used by a person who did not buy it (i.e., illegal copying
and sharing)?


--
fallingrock
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fallingrock's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=25756
View this thread:
http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=391909

As you are probably aware, there is a well know technique to have an
introductory worksheet that is normally kept xlVeryHidden. On close it is
made visible and all others are made xlVeryHidden. On open, if macros are
enabled, the introductory sheet is made xlVeryHidden and the others are made
visible. No problem. However, if macros are disabled, all you will see is
this sheet telling you to enable macros in order to use the wb - i.e. the
others remain xlVeryHidden.

I don't go to this bother because (so far at least) it's unnessecsary for my
projects. But it's something I do consider because worksheet functions can
get complex and may be something to protect.

Regards,
Greg


"Greg Wilson" wrote:

I agree Steve. But in my case, the code is all I am concerned about.
Typically, the code is the important issue for developers. In my case, the
data isn't confidential and anyone can setup worksheet formattng. And my
projects are basically dysfunctional without the code.

Worksheet and workbook (as opposed to file open) protection can be broken in
seconds for those in the know. When I think of the people in my office and in
my industry who potentially would want my stuff, except for our IT guy, few
if any could even break worksheet protection. They wouldn't even know how to
implement VBA code. Therefore, the strategy I mentioned is of value for most
situations. After spending a zillion hours developing something we tend to
overestimate its perceived value to others.

Regards,
Greg

"STEVE BELL" wrote:

The only problem with events is that they are macros and anyone can open a
workbook and turn macros off.

They may not be able to get to the VBE code (???), but they can get to all
the worksheets...
(or some one could).

It all depends on the people...

For the most part - protection only helps prevent "accidents".

--
steveB

Remove "AYN" from email to respond
"Greg Wilson" wrote in message
...
I don't disseminate any of my projects but only produce them for work and
install them on our system. To prevent a staff member from taking one of
them
if/when they leave the company, I include code in the Workbook_Open event
that looks for a simple text file and code phrase inside that file. If it
cannot be found then it won't open. They can make copies all they like but
can't open them outside of this environment. The people who would take my
stuff arn't skilled enough to crack VBProject protection.

Regards,
Greg



"fallingrock" wrote:


Anyone have some idea, tricks, code, suggestions, examples of how to
reduce if not prevent Excel-based products (like an Excel Template)
from being used by a person who did not buy it (i.e., illegal copying
and sharing)?


--
fallingrock
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fallingrock's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=25756
View this thread:
http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=391909

Greg,

We agree!

The "blank" or "message" sheet is great to discourage people. More
importantly it's a great way to make a one-workbook-fits-all
and than restrict the users to their own pages...

I sometimes hide sheets just to make the envirorment cleaner for the user.

And again - anything I can do to help the user "not mess wit stuff"...
keeps the project healthier.

As you may have noticed - your code for unprotected cells only has become a
favorite of mine.
It really helps when creating forms on the worksheet... and protects those
massive formulas...

Thanks for your support...

--
steveB

Remove "AYN" from email to respond
"Greg Wilson" wrote in message
...
As you are probably aware, there is a well know technique to have an
introductory worksheet that is normally kept xlVeryHidden. On close it is
made visible and all others are made xlVeryHidden. On open, if macros are
enabled, the introductory sheet is made xlVeryHidden and the others are
made
visible. No problem. However, if macros are disabled, all you will see is
this sheet telling you to enable macros in order to use the wb - i.e. the
others remain xlVeryHidden.

I don't go to this bother because (so far at least) it's unnessecsary for
my
projects. But it's something I do consider because worksheet functions can
get complex and may be something to protect.

Regards,
Greg


"Greg Wilson" wrote:

I agree Steve. But in my case, the code is all I am concerned about.
Typically, the code is the important issue for developers. In my case,
the
data isn't confidential and anyone can setup worksheet formattng. And my
projects are basically dysfunctional without the code.

Worksheet and workbook (as opposed to file open) protection can be broken
in
seconds for those in the know. When I think of the people in my office
and in
my industry who potentially would want my stuff, except for our IT guy,
few
if any could even break worksheet protection. They wouldn't even know how
to
implement VBA code. Therefore, the strategy I mentioned is of value for
most
situations. After spending a zillion hours developing something we tend
to
overestimate its perceived value to others.

Regards,
Greg

"STEVE BELL" wrote:

The only problem with events is that they are macros and anyone can
open a
workbook and turn macros off.

They may not be able to get to the VBE code (???), but they can get to
all
the worksheets...
(or some one could).

It all depends on the people...

For the most part - protection only helps prevent "accidents".

--
steveB

Remove "AYN" from email to respond
"Greg Wilson" wrote in message
...
I don't disseminate any of my projects but only produce them for work
and
install them on our system. To prevent a staff member from taking one
of
them
if/when they leave the company, I include code in the Workbook_Open
event
that looks for a simple text file and code phrase inside that file.
If it
cannot be found then it won't open. They can make copies all they
like but
can't open them outside of this environment. The people who would
take my
stuff arn't skilled enough to crack VBProject protection.

Regards,
Greg



"fallingrock" wrote:


Anyone have some idea, tricks, code, suggestions, examples of how to
reduce if not prevent Excel-based products (like an Excel Template)
from being used by a person who did not buy it (i.e., illegal
copying
and sharing)?


--
fallingrock
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fallingrock's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=25756
View this thread:
http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=391909