View Full Version : MS Excel Protection options
RickJ
Jun 16, 2006, 05:29 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, 05:53 AM
Hi Rick,
Occasionally 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, 06:01 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, 06:35 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
ScottGem
Jun 16, 2006, 07:26 AM
Rick,
Google Lost Password Excel and you will find several solutions to cracking the password.
RickJ
Jun 16, 2006, 07:45 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?