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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?
Workbook Updates
How to set up automatic web updates
USB or Dongle Protection for Excel
Enky CT dongle
Enky SL dongle
Generic USB stick
Enky LC2 dongle
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
Remove “Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop” function
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
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)”
Disable the "Enter Activation Key" button on Welcome screen
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
Retrieve the activation token with VBA
Retrieving subscription/licence information with VBA
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
Terminate the "Loading workbook message" early
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?
Can users store their changes directly to the EXE and not an external XLSC save file?
Is it possible to update the exe files which are already distributed amongst the users if I update it on my PC?
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?
How to avoid error on loading xlsce file: comma instead of point in number format
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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