vba to only allow file to be opened from folder in dropbox, not on local cpu

I have a spreadsheet which has a calculator and table of inventory that is updated when closed. I do not want others to make a copy on their local cpu, thus I have disabled "Save and SaveAs" functions. But, they can still drag and drop the file from Dropbox into a folder on their local computer. I want vba to stop this local copy from opening and a message saying they need to open the copy on Dropbox. I can get it to work on my computer, but if I put it in a Google Drive folder, it opens a copy (saved as a template for other reasons) on my local cpu, but the code does not seem to see this. I am wondering if there is a simpler/better way of doing this than what I have been trying? Code below works on my local cpu, but not if I rightclick and open from Googledrive. Thanks.

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Hi thecdnmole,

The following technique may work for you:
a. Add a file of any type (file can be empty and/or Hidden) in the same folder as the Excel file in Dropbox.
b. Exit if the file does not exist.

Sample code follows (tested and working):

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It is a best practice to declare all variables. If you misspell a variable in your code, VBA will silently assume it is a Variant variable and go on executing with no clue to you that you have a bug. Go to the VBA development window, click Tools, Options, and check "Require Variable Declaration." This will insert the following line at the top of all new modules:

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This option requires all variables to be declared and will give a compiler error for undeclared variables.

I hope this helps.

Lewis

I want it to allow being opened on Dropbox, but not anywhere else.

I think that is the way my logic works if you put the 'Canary' file in the DropBox folder.

Lewis