How to prevent overwriting a protected file?

[Barry Katcher]

Hi, people.

I have a bunch of password-protected files to prevent unauthorized people from opening them. Someone in my office just created a file, and saved it with the same name as one of my files, and it overwrote mine. Can this be prevented?

Thanks for your time.

Barry

 

[Tom Urtis]

Only if you keep the file in a secret folder where no one ever goes, knows about, or would guess at, which means, the answer is 99.9999% No. All it takes anyway, is for someone to go into Windows Explorer, and change the file name there of one of your workbooks. Most office workers are not nefarious evil-doers who consciously look for ways to confound, but the general population will always contain a subset of fools who will unwittingly circumvent a foolproof system. Maybe try keeping the files accessible as an add-in, or as a VB app, but even then there is the possibility of trouble, however slight.

 

[Barry Katcher]

Thanks for the reply, Tom. Yes, I figured as much. It was my boss's new boss, who proclaims herself an Excel whiz, but who ended up screwing up a spreadsheet it took me three years to develope. And, as the Boss of All Bosses, she has access to everyone's directory and dere ain't a ting I can do 'bout it. Luckily, the file is backed up in at least two different places.

Thanks again

Barry

 

[Tom Urtis]

You bring up an excellent point Barry - - never give a boss a file unless you've backed it up first.