Can you add messages to excel before the document is open?

[tonywatsonhelp]

Hi everyone,
I've never come across this so doubt if its possible but was wondering as excel can do so much.
I have a few documents that hold my raw data,
I then have a master document that is supposed to be used and basically the other documents are not supposed to be opened.
I have to save them in a folder on the server so the master doc can assess them,
I have tried putting them in a folder call Private, And ever "Private Authorised personnel Only!" but nothing seams to stop our wonderful staff from thinking they know better and opening these files,
I've put a password on them and this has stop them being open but now I'm getting loads of emails from staff telling me they "Cant open the file!"

So here's what i was wondering. without editing the source code or anything, does excel have the option to add a message on open?
for example instead of the standard please insert password the message "This document is not accessible, to view this data please open master document and choose View Raw Data!"

so the staff who all have emails telling them to do this are reminded.

any ideas?

thanks

Tony

 

[Joe4]

I can think of a few ways you might consider going about this.

1. To use a Workbook open event (which runs upon the file opening) that says what you want in a Message box. The issue with this, is if they do not enable Macros/VBA this will not run, so they would bypass that.

2. To hide/password protect all the data sheets, and instead have a cover sheet that says what you want. And the only way to unhide the data is to run a VBA procedure that first asks for a password.

 

[tonywatsonhelp]

Thanks Joe,

You gave me a fantastic idea,
What i did was Hide all the work sheets and protect workbook so they can't be unhidden,
Then on the Welcome sheet I added a message saying If You wish to view raw data please clivk here! and a button with a macro that opens the master document and closes the raw data, it works fantastically.

Thanks for you help would not have thought if it without your idea.

Thanks

Tony

 

[Joe4]

You are welcome.
Glad you got it working well!