How to protect worksheet (Excel) using Macros?

Question

I am aware that Excel worksheet protection is weak and can be easily bypassed with free software. I've heard that it is possible to add an extra layer of protection by using Macros. I don't know how to use Macros and I am not good at programming (I don't understand VBA). Can anyone give me simple step-by-step instructions on how to protect my worksheet using Macros (or any method other than Excel's built-in worksheet protection)? Thank you. Objective: I want to give my Excel worksheets protection that will be very difficult for anyone to break.

Answer 1

Hi,
Try going to tools, options, security
select open on password, if you like then
select read only, with a password that allows modifying

Answer 2

The macros won't really give you really anymore protection. What will give you more protection is the encryption code level that you use when you protect and save it along with the password that you pick.

Pick a password with at least 8 characters. Use uppercase lettering and lower case lettering, numbers, and even some punctionation marks such as a period, comma, or semi colon.

Also check your computer regularly for spyware. There are spyware programs out there that can collect your keystrokes and it's not hard to write a spyware program like that if you are really trying and have a little programming know-how.

You can also protect the workbook. And if you want to add more security into it you can even put your file into a protected folder.

There is one way with macros that you might be able to protect the file a little bit more. You could set the visibility of certain sheets you don't want other people to see to xlVeryHidden. You can do that by entering in the macro code.

Sheets("SheetName").Visible = xlVeryHidden

To make the sheet visible again:

Sheets("SheetName").Visible = True

To a regular user xlVeryHidden would make the worksheet look like it doesn't exhist in the workbook. Normally for hidden worksheets if you go to Format > Sheet > Unhide, it will list the hidden worksheets. When you use xlVeryHidden the worksheet won't even appear on the hidden list. However, you will still need to password protect your macro so the person can't access the macro code and find out that the sheet exhists.