Protect workbook no password

**jomili** · 01-11-2010, 02:03 PM

I have a workbook that contains a series of macros designed to compare various reports and spit out a report. I don't want my users to have to insert a password, but I want to keep my workbook protected. I've already protected the macros in the VBA Properties, so those are pretty safe, but the worksheets in the workbook are susceptible to changes that will hose my macros.

Setting the workbook to "Read Only" in Properties on our shared drive helps, but any user can change that at will. Within Excel, going to Options, Security, I can set a password so no-one can modify that workbook, but that pops up a password box when they open the workbook. I'd like to NOT have the password box pop up unless I need to make changes. Is there a way to do that? I've looked on the internet but can't find a solution on this one.

Thanks in advance.

**royUK** · 01-11-2010, 02:14 PM

Without buying expensive software,the answer is no. You can protect sheets without being asked for a password.

so those are pretty safe

. Yes,for about 10 seconds if the user has the correct knowhow or software!

**jomili** · 01-11-2010, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the info Roy.

On protecting the worksheets, if I do that will the macros within the workbook still be able to write on the protected worksheets? Also, when I email it, I copy two of the worksheets. Will the copied worksheets also be protected?

Really, all I want to be able to do is stop anyone from saving any changes. No way to do that easily?

**jomili** · 01-11-2010, 02:36 PM

On Second thought, is there a way to have a Macro choose to open the worksheet in Read Only mode, so the user won't even see the prompt? And if so, would there be a backdoor way for me to open it in full mode so I can make changes?