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Installer + file association

An installer that makes your save files open with a double-click.

XLS Padlock compiles your workbook into a secure EXE, and you can let customers save their changes to encrypted save files. This tutorial builds a Windows installer with Paquet Builder and registers your own save-file extension, so a customer can double-click a save file and it opens straight in Excel: no compiled-workbook shortcut, no prompt.

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The XLS Padlock Distribute EXE tab open over Excel, with the Generate Setup button that starts the installer project.
It starts in XLS Padlock: the Distribute EXE tab, where Generate Setup builds the Setup project for Paquet Builder.

Before you start. You need Paquet Builder, the installer maker XLS Padlock hands the Setup project to. Install it alongside XLS Padlock.

What you will set up.

Three pieces work together so a save file behaves like a native document for your customer.

A custom save extension
Encrypted save files carry your own extension (.MBX in this tutorial) instead of the default .XLSC.
A one-file installer
Paquet Builder wraps the compiled workbook into a single Windows installer with a desktop shortcut and a clean uninstall.
A file association
Double-clicking a save file launches your compiled workbook in Excel and loads the file, with no shortcut needed.

Six phases, start to finish.

From the save extension in XLS Padlock to a tested installer, here is the path the tutorial walks.

  1. 01 Phase

    Configure the workbook in XLS Padlock

    Choose your save-file extension and rebuild the secure application.

  2. 02 Phase

    Generate the Setup project

    From XLS Padlock, create the installer project that opens in Paquet Builder.

  3. 03 Phase

    Set up the package in Paquet Builder

    Add your company details and confirm the compiled workbook and install folder.

  4. 04 Phase

    Add the file-association action

    Register the action that ties your extension to the compiled workbook.

  5. 05 Phase

    Edit the association actions

    Point the generated actions at your own extension and edit each one.

  6. 06 Phase

    Build, install, and test

    Compile the installer, run it, and confirm a save file opens with a double-click.

Step by step.

Twenty-five steps, grouped into the six phases above. Every screenshot is the real XLS Padlock or Paquet Builder window.

Click any screenshot to enlarge it.

01

Configure the workbook in XLS Padlock

Choose your save-file extension and rebuild the secure application.

  1. 1

    Pick the extension for your save files

    For this tutorial we use .MBX. Enter it in the save-file extension field (or any extension you want for your own workbook).

    XLS Padlock save options with the custom save-file extension set to MBX.
    Pick the extension for your save files

    Requires Save enabled. A custom save extension only applies if you let customers save changes in XLS Padlock. See Save options

  2. 2

    Rebuild the secure application

    Build the compiled workbook again so the new extension takes effect.

    XLS Padlock rebuilding the compiled workbook after the save extension is set.
    Rebuild the secure application
02

Generate the Setup project

From XLS Padlock, create the installer project that opens in Paquet Builder.

  1. 3

    Open Distribute EXE, then click Generate Setup

    In XLS Padlock, open the Distribute EXE tab (shown at the top of this page) and click Generate Setup.

  2. 4

    Fill in your workbook details, then Generate Setup

    Enter the destination path, Setup title, and application name, then press Generate Setup.

    The Make Setup dialog in XLS Padlock with destination path, Setup title, and application name fields filled in.
    Fill in your workbook details, then Generate Setup
  3. 5

    Choose a filename for the project and save it

    The Save dialog for naming the Paquet Builder installer project file.
    Choose a filename for the project and save it
  4. 6

    Confirm; Paquet Builder opens with the project

    Click OK. XLS Padlock launches Paquet Builder with the generated installer project.

    Confirmation that the installer project was created, before Paquet Builder starts.
    Confirm; Paquet Builder opens with the project
03

Set up the package in Paquet Builder

Add your company details and confirm the compiled workbook and install folder.

  1. 7

    Enter your company information, then open File Manager

    Paquet Builder Basic Information page with company fields, and the File Manager button.
    Enter your company information, then open File Manager
  2. 8

    Confirm your compiled workbook is listed

    TestWorkbook.exe appears, so the installer will compress and install it. Close the File Manager.

    The Paquet Builder File Manager listing the compiled workbook TestWorkbook.exe.
    Confirm your compiled workbook is listed
  3. 9

    Check the destination folder

    Change it if you do not want the default.

    Paquet Builder destination folder set to %PROGFILESDIR% and the application name.
    Check the destination folder

    Where it installs. %PROGFILESDIR% is the standard Program Files directory, so %PROGFILESDIR%\Pupil Markbook Demo installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\Pupil Markbook Demo. On Windows, applications belong in Program Files.

04

Add the file-association action

Register the action that ties your extension to the compiled workbook.

  1. 10

    Open Custom Actions, After File Extraction, Action Templates

    Paquet Builder Custom Actions with the After File Extraction event and the Action Templates button.
    Open Custom Actions, After File Extraction, Action Templates
  2. 11

    Add Register File Association and click OK

    The Action Templates list with Register File Association selected.
    Add Register File Association and click OK
05

Edit the association actions

Point the generated actions at your own extension and edit each one.

  1. 12

    Change every .ext to your extension (.mbx)

    Paquet Builder creates several custom actions for the association. First, replace every .ext with the extension you chose at the start.

    The four generated custom actions for the file association, before editing.
    Change every .ext to your extension (.mbx)
  2. 13

    Edit the first action: two entries to modify

    Properties of the first custom action, with the two entries to change for the association.
    Edit the first action: two entries to modify
  3. 14

    Edit the second action: the file description

    Properties of the second custom action, which sets the displayed file type description.
    Edit the second action: the file description
  4. 15

    Edit the third action

    Properties of the third custom action for the file association.
    Edit the third action
  5. 16

    Configure the action exactly as shown

    The screenshot annotates every value to set. Click it to read the full settings at full size.

    Annotated settings for the file-association action, with each value to enter called out.
    Configure the action exactly as shown
  6. 17

    Edit the last action the same way

    Properties of the last custom action for the file association.
    Edit the last action the same way

    Keep it exact. Do not change any other characters when you replace values. The final %1 in particular is mandatory: it passes the double-clicked file to your workbook.

  7. 18

    Close the Custom Action editor

    Your four actions now register the association for your extension.

06

Build, install, and test

Compile the installer, run it, and confirm a save file opens with a double-click.

  1. 19

    Build the installer with Build Now

    The Paquet Builder Build Now button that compiles the final installer.
    Build the installer with Build Now
  2. 20

    Run your new installer

    The finished installer ready to run for testing.
    Run your new installer
  3. 21

    Approve the elevation prompt

    Windows asks for elevated rights because you are installing an application. That is expected.

    The Windows User Account Control prompt shown when the installer runs.
    Approve the elevation prompt

    Unsigned for now. Unknown publisher shows because this package is not code-signed. You can sign it; see the Paquet Builder documentation.

  4. 22

    Finish setup; a desktop shortcut is created

    The installer's final page, after which a desktop shortcut to the compiled workbook is created.
    Finish setup; a desktop shortcut is created
  5. 23

    Open the workbook and Save to create an encrypted save file

    The secure workbook opens in Excel. Click Save and choose a filename for the save file.

    The compiled Pupil Markbook workbook open in Excel, ready to save an encrypted save file.
    Open the workbook and Save to create an encrypted save file
  6. 24

    Check the save file's extension and type

    In the folder, the save file carries your custom .MBX extension and the type you defined, Markbook Save File.

    Windows Explorer showing the save file with the custom .MBX extension and Markbook Save File type.
    Check the save file's extension and type
  7. 25

    Double-click the save file: Excel opens it directly

    Excel starts and loads the save file. No need to use the compiled workbook's shortcut.

    Double-clicking the save file starts Excel and loads it into the compiled workbook.
    Double-click the save file: Excel opens it directly

That is the whole flow. Your customers install the workbook from one installer, and their save files open in Excel with a double-click.

Learn more about Paquet Builder
See also: Save options Setup installer Distribute your workbook

You stay in control.

XLS Padlock is a one-time purchase, not a middleman between you and your buyers. Everything the protection depends on stays yours.

Shipping since 2013 from G.D.G. Software. A desktop tool you can build a business on.

The workbook
Your .xlsx never leaves your machine. You compile it yourself into a standalone EXE.
The keys
You generate, count, and revoke activation keys. No per-copy fee, no royalties on your sales.
The server
Activations validate against a PHP server you host and own, not ours.
The customer
You sell directly. The buyer relationship and the full revenue stay with you.
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