How to Remove Ability to Disable Macros?

[BrettOlbrys1]

Hello, I have a workbook that has a login form that gives users viewing rights to particular sheets with the use of macros. These "hidden" sheets should not be able to be viewed by someone unless they have access rights to that particular sheet. Macros MUST be enabled to run the workbook correctly and if someone were to disable the macros, all of the "hidden" sheets could be found.

I want to prevent a user from being able to disable macros in my workbook.

How do I do this for anyone other than me (the admin)?

Thanks

Brett

 

[Candyman8019]

Of course, there are always ways around this since Excel isn't a super secure app, but a few things I do with mine to keep most people out, include the following"
- Setting the sheets to very hidden rather than hidden
This includes ALL sheets....so essentially if the user disables macros and is unable to login then there is nothing for them to see.
- Create a macro that sets applicable sheets to very hidden prior to closing the app
- Create another than sets applicable sheets to very hidden upon opening the app
- Password protect your VB Project
- Create macro to prevent 'save as' for anyone except an admin
- Use a password to open the app - encrypted.

 

[mackc557]

Of course, there are always ways around this since Excel isn't a super secure app, but a few things I do with mine to keep most people out, include the following"
- Setting the sheets to very hidden rather than hidden
This includes ALL sheets....so essentially if the user disables macros and is unable to login then there is nothing for them to see.
- Create a macro that sets applicable sheets to very hidden prior to closing the app
- Create another than sets applicable sheets to very hidden upon opening the app
- Password protect your VB Project
- Create macro to prevent 'save as' for anyone except an admin
- Use a password to open the app - encrypted.

I like this solution to the problem. I was about to comment explaining that although sometimes I would like the ability to force macro-enable or prevent turning it off, I understand how horribly destructive it could be to create a malicious macro and prevent turning off macros. But this solution takes the opposite approach, incentivizing having macros enabled and having the correct security access.

 

[dmt32]

The ability to enable or disable macros is a security feature to give users option to trust code contained in a workbook – if that feature could be disabled by code, it would rather defeat its purpose.

There are many published methods you could consider that may “encourage” your users to enable macros

Have look here: Ensure Macros Are Enabled

and see if any help to you

Dave

 

[BrettOlbrys1]

Thanks for the feedback, and I appreciate the guidance.

 

[Joe4]

Is it important to note (and a good thing) that you CANNOT force people to enable macros.
If that was possible, hackers could "force" viruses on your computer!

But as you can see, there are way to render the workbook practically useless (to a certain extent) unless they do enable them.

 

[Candyman8019]

If anyone is interested, I've linked my current project here:

Double protecting sheet/cells

I have a workbook with several tabs. Each tab is password protected to avoid supervisors from editing any cell they are not allowed to. I'd also like to protect the other tabs from being viewed by other supervisors so this can be a shared workbook. Is this possible? Edit: Sorry, need to add a...

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