Excel Workbook Time Lock

[sunnyjee]

Hi Friends, I want help to lock my excel workbook after a specific future date so that nobody can edit and copy only can read and required password in order to restore or unlock the workbook. Can somebody help for that?

Regards,

[maniacb]

You can create an open workbook event in the workbook module to protect the active sheet if a date is met, like this:

Option Explicit

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Dim FutureLockDate As Date

FutureLockDate = #11/3/2020#

    If Date >= FutureLockDate Then
        ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1").Protect Password:="123"
    End If
End Sub

To protect the workbook:

Option Explicit

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Dim FutureLockDate As Date

FutureLockDate = #11/3/2020#

    If Date >= FutureLockDate Then
        ThisWorkbook.Protect Password:="123"
    End If
End Sub

[sunnyjee]

Hi its not working and also in this way i think workbook can be unprotected if somebody will disable the macro??

[Croweater]

You can make sheets invisible (apart from maybe a 'warning' sheet) with something like this...

Private Sub Workbook_BeforeClose(Cancel As Boolean)
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Sheets("Warning").Visible = xlSheetVisible

' hide all sheet but Warning sheet
For Each sh In Worksheets
If Not sh.Name = "Warning" Then sh.Visible = xlVeryHidden
Next sh
End Sub

You can then make them visible in a workbook open event. This will ensure macros are enabled.

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
For Each sh In Worksheets
sh.Visible = xlSheetVisible
Next sh
' hide the warning sheet
Sheets("Warning").Visible = xlVeryHidden
End Sub

BTW, if you tell me that "it's not working" without any 'added value' whatsoever, you will ensure you get no more help from me.

[Sintek]

Hi its not working and also in this way i think workbook can be unprotected if somebody will disable the macro??

With available Excel protection methods, there is no full proof method of protecting Excel...

[hrlngrv]

You can use VBA and event handlers to do this so that casual users wouldn't be able to use the workbook. However, there's no way to protect or lock any Excel workbook a user can open if that user is intent on breaking all the internal protections you try to impose. Only passwords for opening Excel workbooks are robust. All internal passwords and protections are weak and easily cracked by anyone with a web browser, a hexadecimal editor and the ability to follow instructions.