MS Excel Protection options

RickJ · #1 Jun 16, 2006, 04:29 AM

I have a HUGE Excel File of 10 Worksheets with usernames and passwords.

Until now I've just had the whole file password protected.

Since only a couple columns in each worksheet are private, I'd like to "hide" the columns so that a password must be entered to see them.

Is this possible?

I've played with the Protection options under Tools and also under Format Cells, but nothing is getting what I want.

...also is it possible to put password protection on selected worksheets?

Thanks!

colbtech · Jun 16, 2006, 04:53 AM

Hi Rick,

Occassionally friends send me a spreadsheet for a quiz that is password protected and they want to know the answers, being a lazy so-and-so I take the easy option and use a password remover.

There is more than one program that removes the protection on these spreadsheets so beware.

Yes, you can stop the average user from accessing the cells/sheets with protection and hide sheet cmds and then protect the workbook.

Protection:

To protect a sheet from view.

Format, Sheet, Hide
Tools, Protection, Protect Workbook.

This prevents the average user from realising that a sheet is missing.

To protect certain cells/columns/rows from view.

Select the column/cells/rows
Format, column/cells/rows, Hide
Tools, Protection, Protect Sheet.

But remember protected with a password may not be all that "private" to a determined person.

RickJ · Jun 16, 2006, 05:01 AM

Thanks, colbtech. Before I go trying this, please clarify. Can you remove the password protection from the attached file? If so, how?

colbtech · Jun 16, 2006, 05:35 AM

Hi Rick,

The program I use requires the ability to open the file. However, where there's a will there's a way. I will see what I can do, the password is greater than 5 chars though.

Col

RickJ · Jun 16, 2006, 06:45 AM

Well, the first one I tried the demo of resulted in

[Sorry, the file you uploaded is encrypted by Microsoft Strong Cryptographic Provider and is not supported.]

Good!!

How available are tools that can bust the MS Strong Cryptographic?



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