• Contents
  • Search
  • Introduction to XLS Padlock
  • Installing XLS Padlock
    • Download and install XLS Padlock
    • XLS Padlock Manager
  • How to protect an Excel workbook
  • How to distribute a protected workbook
  • How to save and restore settings – Using Templates
  • Improve protection of your workbooks
    • Prevent common VBA and OLE hacks
    • Password protect your workbook
    • Forbid access to the VBA editor (VBE)
    • Disable common Excel add-ins
    • Protect your formulas with XLS Padlock’s formula protection
    • Real VBA code protection with VBA compiler
  • Protect Formulas
    • Excel versus XLS Padlock cell protection
    • Protecting cells with XLS Padlock
    • Combining Excel sheet protection and XLS Padlock protection
    • Disable Formula protection
  • VBA Code Protection
    • About the built-in VBA compiler
    • Writing and compiling secure VBA code
    • Invoking compiled VBA code at runtime
    • Passing more parameters to the compiled VBA code
    • Passing arrays to the compiled VBA code
    • Accessing Excel objects from compiled VBA code
    • Supported VBA syntax by compiler
      • Keywords and operators
      • Script structure
      • Identifiers
      • Assign statements
      • Comments
      • Variables
      • Indexes
      • Arrays
      • If statements
      • while statements
      • loop statements
      • for statements
      • select case statements
      • function and sub declaration
    • Handling errors in VBA compiler
    • Hide and lock your VBA code in Excel
    • Disable debug information in case of compiler error
  • Workbook Saving / Loading
    • Save Mode: Full or Cell Values
      • How to define cells to be saved and restored
      • Programmatically restore/save custom values with VBA code
    • Do not allow loading/saving other workbooks
    • Application GUID and Secret Key
    • Opening a save yourself – decrypt saves
  • Workbook Access Control
    • How to set up activation keys
    • How to set up hardware-locked activation keys
    • How to create trial workbooks
    • How to close the workbook after a given amount of time?
  • All XLS Padlock Options
    • Application Settings
      • Output path
      • Application Title
      • Excel versions required for your workbook
      • Build EXE for Excel XX
      • Configure Advanced Options
      • Add Companion Files
    • Security
      • Workbook Saving / Loading
        • Do not allow loading/saving other workbooks
      • Save Options
        • Always show the "Load previous changes" welcome screen
        • Save changes automatically and load them without prompt next time
        • Save files can only be opened on the computer they were saved on (hardware-locking)
        • Allow save but do not handle loading/saving
        • Explore Save Storage Folder and Delete Save Storage Folder
      • Restrictions
        • Allow print operations
        • Allow export PDF/XPS operations
        • Disable right click (no context menu)
        • Disable all ribbons and toolbars
        • Disable "cell copy and cut to clipboard" commands
        • Disable Formula Bar
        • Do not allow other instances of Excel when opening the protected workbook
        • Only allow one instance of the protected workbook
      • VBA Security
        • Lock VBA Project (simple VBA protection)
        • Prevent access to VBA editor
      • Formulas and Passwords
        • Formula Protection Method
        • Worksheet password protection
        • Protect the workbook with the following password, but do not ask users for it
      • Excel add-ins
        • Do not disable the following COM add-ins (enter ProgID):
        • Allow Excel common add-ins such as Analysis Toolpak, Solver, Euro Currency Tools...
      • Excel Custom UI
    • USB or Dongle Protection
      • Enky SL dongle
      • Generic USB stick
      • Enky LC dongle
    • Activation keys
      • Activation Settings
        • “End users must enter an activation key in order to use the protected workbook”
        • “Use hardware-locked keys”
        • Application Master Key
      • Key Generator (portable and remote server versions)
        • Set restrictions on keys (expiration date, max execution count…)
        • Stand-alone key generator without running XLS Padlock
        • Key generator SDK
        • Clear Activation Data
        • Change activation key once already activated
      • Additional Settings
        • “Prompt the end user for the activation key each time”
        • “Do not store activation info in the registry, but in an external file (portable mode)”
      • Website Interaction
        • Show "Get Key Online" button that opens the user's web browser to the following URL:
        • Show "Purchase Online" button on nag screen that opens the user's web browser to the following URL:
      • Online Activation
        • Base Activation URL
        • Security Private Key
        • Registration Form Editor
        • Allow Manual Activation if No Internet Connection (recommended)
      • Online Validation
        • Base Validation URL
        • Validate the activation state
        • If the activation cannot be validated
        • Display this error message if validation fails
        • Always skip validation if no Internet connection is available
    • Customize EXE
      • Splash screen
        • Do not display the "Loading workbook" dialog box in Excel
        • Excel Main Window Display at Startup
      • EXE Icon and Version Information
        • Change Exe Icon
        • EXE Version Info
      • Localization and Translation File
      • License Agreement
    • Distribute EXE
      • Code sign your EXE file (digital signature)
      • Make an installer for your EXE file
  • Use external references and hyperlinks
  • EXE Command-line switches
  • XLS Padlock VBA API Extension
    • Get the path to a file in the same folder as the compiled workbook
    • Test if the workbook is protected with XLS Padlock
    • Saving a secure copy of the workbook without prompt
    • Suggest a filename for the save dialog box
    • Open an existing save file with VBA
    • Check if the compiled workbook is in trial state
    • Getting command-line parameters passed to the EXE file
    • Getting EXE File Version and Product Version
    • Getting EXE Filename
    • Allow saving non encrypted workbooks
    • Get current workbook save file path
    • Get local save folder path
    • Test if online validation was successful or not
    • Test if Internet connection is available or not
    • Hide wait dialog programmatically with VBA
    • Loading/Saving workbooks through VBA SetOption helper
    • Create other Excel instances and access secure workbook and companion files
    • Retrieve XLS Padlock System ID from VBA
    • Retrieve number of remaining days in trial with VBA
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Is there any shortcut in XLS Padlock?
    • How do users open an XSLC save file?
    • Is my original excel file stored on your server or will the software manipulate my files locally only?
    • Is it possible to update the exe files which are already distributed amongst the users if I update it on my PC?
    • Can users store their changes directly to the EXE and not an external XLSC save file?
    • I updated my original workbook. What about existing saves made by end users?
    • Where is the Developer ribbon?
    • How to disable drag and drop?
    • How to open a PDF companion file?
    • Why is the EXE file so large?
    • I get a name conflict “Print_Area”. What can I do?
    • A customer gets registry error or ERegistryException error when activating the workbook
    • My workbook uses a custom ribbon and thus the XLS Padlock ribbon is missing. How can I access XLS Padlock?
    • XLS Padlock tab is missing in Excel
    • I’m getting VBA OLE ERROR 800A03EC error when using the VBA compiler
    • Getting “Run-time-error 1004.  No data was imported because no elements have been mapped. “
    • A customer is getting unexpected error while loading protected workbook: Access violation at address 093469AF in module 'VBE6.DLL'. Read of address 00000000.
    • Can I restore XLS file from EXE file?
    • How can I hide the main Excel window at startup and only show my user form?
    • Failed to set data fot ‘Data’ error
    • Is VBA obfuscation necessary?
    • Creating demo/trial routines with VBA
    • Why is ThisWorkbook.Path not working?
    • I included a Word DOCX file as a companion file. How do I open it?
    • How do I include XLL add-ins and register them?
  • About this guide
  • Links to Support
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