Workbook Permissions - How to Control?

K

Karl Burrows

I have developed several Excel workbooks for a client to track some sales
data from an Access database. One issue they have had is people inputting
data that shouldn't be and others unprotect sheets and change formulas. I
would like to assign read only, read/write and admin permissions to both the
Access database and the Excel workbooks. I think their network
administrator can do this, but my question is, if they make those changes,
can I still work on the files off site? Do the permissions disappear once
it leaves the group policy/permissions settings in the network/domain. Or,
do they need to add me as a user, although I am not in their network? Not
sure how to set this up so we can both manage the files.

Thanks!
 
A

Anki

Karl,

Yes, there is a way to protect your Excel workbook(s) with password within
Excel . Go to File, Save, Tools (on top right hand corner) and choose
general options. "Save Options" window will pop up where you can create
password to open and/or password to share. So you have the flexibility to
customize levels of security for different users. If they want to modify
your file they need to save under a different name. An Excel file can be
opened and used by different users at the same time. By doing so, you can
save a lot of time and effort from setting the security through
network/domain.

Hope this helps!
 
K

Karl Burrows

I have no control of the network, thus have no way to set domain user
accounts in the file. I would prefer they do it through a group policy so I
don't take on the burden of managing that remotely. I need to use
permissions to include read/write access to the database as well.

Karl,

Yes, there is a way to protect your Excel workbook(s) with password within
Excel . Go to File, Save, Tools (on top right hand corner) and choose
general options. "Save Options" window will pop up where you can create
password to open and/or password to share. So you have the flexibility to
customize levels of security for different users. If they want to modify
your file they need to save under a different name. An Excel file can be
opened and used by different users at the same time. By doing so, you can
save a lot of time and effort from setting the security through
network/domain.

Hope this helps!
 
A

Anki

Excel allows for setting security for 'read only' or 'modify' in the general
options.

When you said, " burden of managing that remotely" do you mean to manage the
list of users with with an open access or in general. My experience working
in a large corporation is pretty time-consuming. In other words, I find I
would end up spending more time talking and ensuring the list is being
managed efficiently. Your case may be different.

Other than setting password within each Excel workbook, you may consider
setting the permission within Windows explorers. The functionality is
similiar to network / domain security but you can retain flexibility to
control who can modify your workbooks.
 
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