How to hide and secure columns in Excel?

[gohym]

Hi,

I need to ensure that the users do not get to see one of the columns in the file I created, but I may still need to make changes to that column... I am thinking of having some kind password protected column, i.e. no password cannot see and edit column.

Is it possible?

For clarity sake, let's say I have 5 columns:
Column: A = Item No, B = Item, C = Weight, D = Rating (input by user), E= Score (Column C * D)

I need to prevent users from seeing column C, so that it won't affect the rating (Column D). Note that Column C is needed for calculation of Column E.

If anyone has a better way to do this please feel free to suggest. Thanks!!

 

[macropod]

Hi,

What you want is certainly do-able, by formatting the cells in the column to be protected as locked, and cells in other columns as unlocked, then hiding the columns and protecting the worksheet. However, the contents of the column would still be readily accessible to anyone else via formulae referencing that column.

A better approach might be to put the sensitive data on another worksheet which you can protect and hide (format|sheet|hide) or, better still, add the 'veryhidden' property that can be set via vba.

Cheers

 

[gohym]

Hi macropod,

Thanks for the reply!

I think the separate worksheet method should work. I'll give it a try. thanks.

BTW, do you mind showing me how the 'veryhidden' property is set via vba?

Cheers!