Excel 2016 file exclusive user restricted by VBA

[kraaniks]

Hi excel gurus,

Our consultants have made an excel file which I can't open, it says "file configured for exclusive user", my colleague who can open the file can't edit and see macros, they are also protected.

Could somebody help me to remove the "exclusive user rights" from the file, and remove the "macros edit" protection? I can send the file right away to you, or if you can please provide me instructions here.

I would really appreciate any help.

Br,
Edgars

 

[Sektor]

Put it to some cloud storage and send me a link.

 

[kraaniks]

Hi Sektor,

Glad you are willing to try the challenge.
Here comes the link. https://www.dropbox.com/s/g8wqbj0hjg1bcf9/ICC_VAT_return E_Y.xlsm?dl=0

Best Regards,
Edgars

 

[Sektor]

The problem is with the code which is fired when you open workbook. Here it is:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Application.Visible = False
    On Error GoTo 10
    p = ActiveWorkbook.Path
    
    If InStrRev(p, "\14EM2386\", -1, vbTextCompare) > 0 _
        Or InStrRev(p, "\martins.muiznieks", -1, vbTextCompare) > 0 _
        Or InStrRev(p, "\ACR", -1, vbTextCompare) > 0 _
        Or InStrRev(p, "\BPO", -1, vbTextCompare) > 0 Then
        
        Application.Visible = True
        Exit Sub
    Else
        MsgBox "[COLOR=#ff0000]File is not configured for your use[/COLOR]", vbCritical, "ERROR"
        ActiveWorkbook.Close (False)
    End If
    
    Exit Sub
10:
    MsgBox "[COLOR=#ff0000]File is corrupted![/COLOR]", vbCritical, "ERROR"
    ActiveWorkbook.Close (False)
End Sub

In other words, there are some checks about workbook's location path, more specifically - the path must contain one of these strings: "14EM2386", "martins.muiznieks", "ACR" and "BPO".

 

[kraaniks]

wow I am amazed you dig into something. Is it possible to remove this code, if it is used only for security purpose?

 

[Sektor]

Well, I got some bad news for you. I can remove this code, but I will have to save this workbook as Excel 97-2003 file format. There will lots of losses.
Here's the link with the file itself (in Excel 97-2003 format) and list of losses. Now it's up to you to fix those errors.

 

[kraaniks]

Thank you, I will work on those issues!