Protect workbook from Ex-employees

[GForce1]

How can I protect by workbook from ex-employees and the competition from using (I am aware of the weak security measures Excel offers, but something is better than nothing)? Each worksheet is password protected to slow down novice Excel users. However, ex-employees know the password. I was thinking if there was a way to have a changing password (which only a couple people would know) or have the worksheet look for a hidden file on our network, that one of these methods (or another) might work.

[shg]

You need to force the user to enable macros, displaying only a splash screen until they do (search for splash screen).

Then in the Open event, just do a DIR on a network path inaccessible from outside; it will return a null string if the path is inaccesible, and you can close the workbook. Use a UNC path to avoid user drive mapping problems.

Protect the VBA project with a long and random password.

This is only as good as project protection, which is much stronger than sheet protection, but breakable to anyone determined to do so.

[GForce1]

I created a splash screen (my first time) and got stuck with the DIR. I assume you mean a directory using the dir function. I have the workbook looking for a file on our server after pressing the command button. It seems to work fine when the file can be found. But when the file can't be found (I shut off my wireless card), I get a run time error '52' and then can get into the workbook by selecting "End".

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[martindwilson]

when you sack them ,don't upset them. job done

[GForce1]

I wish it was that simple. It is more likely that an employee would leave for what they think is "greener pastures" but they see the value of this spread sheet. This sheet now allows non-experts to design & price our product in minutes where it used to take hours for an expert to quote, and it is more accurate.

[royUK]

You can do lots of things in VBA - lock the workbook to only one PC, etc. If the user doesn't enable macros then it won't matter.

[GForce1]

I am still struggling and need additional guidance with writing the code to check for a file, whether it is on our server or hidden on the computer, and not allow the file to be used if not present. I am beginning to read some books (am self trained by trial and error) but am under a tight schedule.