By default, secure applications (EXE files) can save the workbook modifications to an external encrypted save file. This is exactly the same as for a normal Excel workbook file (XLSX) except that it cannot be opened directly in a normal Excel instance. Secure save files can only be opened by the EXE file which produced them.

To open an existing save file, customers can:

Run the EXE directly and click “choose save” when prompted.

Drag an XLSC file from Windows Explorer and drop it onto the EXE file’s icon.

Use the command line to run the EXE with the -load switch. For instance, MYAPP.EXE -load

Pass the XLSC file directly to the EXE with the command line: MYAPP.EXE "c:\my documents\mysave.xlsc"