Protect Excel VBA Code and workbook

[nando88]

I would like to distribute my excel workbook to other people, and I was wondering if there's a way to protect my VBA code so that it would be hard to hack, and also make my workbook work as a trial, so that after a certain amount of time, it wont open anymore?

 

[ranman256]

you can password the vba side, and set an end date:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
If Date > #1/24/2022# Then
  MsgBox "Trial has ended."
  ActiveWorkbook.Close False
End If
End Sub

 

[mumps]

To protect your macros, you have to protect your VBA Project. Do the following:
-hold down the ALT key and press the F11 key to open the Visual Basic Editor
-click on 'Tools' on the top menu
-click 'VBAProject Properties'
-click the 'Protection' tab
-click the box to the left of 'Lock project for viewing' to put a check mark in it
-enter your password and then confirm it and click 'OK'
-close the VB Editor
-save your workbook as a macro-enabled file and close it
When you re-open the file, you will not be able to see the macros unless you enter the password. Keep in mind that this type of protection is not very strong and anyone who really wants to get at your macros can probably do it with a little research. I hope this helps.

 

[Joe4]

you can password the vba side, and set an end date:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
If Date > #1/24/2022# Then
  MsgBox "Trial has ended."
  ActiveWorkbook.Close False
End If
End Sub

Unfortunately, that does not really meet the criteria of making it "hard to hack", as all they have to do is disable VBA before opening the workbook, and that code will not run.

 

[nando88]

you can password the vba side, and set an end date:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
If Date > #1/24/2022# Then
  MsgBox "Trial has ended."
  ActiveWorkbook.Close False
End If
End Sub

How would I make this code automatic, so that I just set a number of days since the workbook was first opened, and when that date is finally reached, the workbook closes automatically, without me having to hard code the date?

 

[nando88]

I would like an opinion on this solution I found online:
Prohibiting the File from Opening if Macros are Disabled?
They suggest hiding all the sheets except one on close, that will have a message for the user like: trial expired, and when you open the file, the sheets will be unhidden through vba.
The workbook would also be protected.
My question is if the sheets can be unhidden even if VBA is disabled.

 

[Joe4]

I believe if you make them "very hidden", they can only be unhidden with VBA.
See: How to make Excel worksheet very hidden and unhide it - Ablebits.com

 

[nando88]

If I protect my workbook with lockxls, would that make my workbook hard to hack?