Excel Timer??

[Utradeshow]

If you e-mail someone a excel workbook, can you put a timer on the workbook so it will only work for say 30 days????

 

[tactps]

I have, in the past, used something like this (assuming that you're not sending it to a good hacker):

1. Press Alt-F11 to bring up VBA
2. In the pane to the left, double click on "This Workbook".
3. Add the following code:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
If Now() > #3/1/2004# Then
Serial = InputBox("Trial is over. Input required serial number. Pay up cheapskate!!!!")
If Serial <> "ABCDEF" Then
ActiveWorkbook.Close
End If
End If
End Sub

You should then password the VBA so no-one can get in.

Let me know how it goes.

 

[Utradeshow]

Does the date 3/1/2004 mean anything?? Does it just last 30 days before it asks for password??

I like the Pay up Cheapskate!!! That's hilarious!!!

 

[tactps]

That is the date that it will look for.

For 30 days from today, use #5/28/2004#.

By the way "Pay up cheapskate" is the clean version. I was not that subtle in the version I did!!!!

 

[Utradeshow]

Thanks... I'll give it a whirl......

 

[Utradeshow]

I'm new at this stuff.. Please forgive me.. I hit Alt F-11 but I didn't see what you mentioned???

 

[DRJ]

Alt + F11 should open up VBE on the left you should have a panel that lists the sheets and thisworkbook. If not then goto View and select Project Explorer.

 

[Stromma]

Hi All

A different approach:

Create a useless Sheet and name it Sorry, then create a Sheet and name it Data. If macro is disabled this the only visible sheet will be sorry. After the trialperiod your workbook will be saved and closed with a changed password and the important sheet data will be deleted. If they manage to crack the password, the only sheet left will be Sorry!

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    'Show sheets available when macro is enabled
    Sheets("Data").Visible = True
    Sheets("Data").Select
    Range("A1").Select
        'If 30 days has passed change password to "locked" or whatever, if else nothing
        If Now() > #5/28/2004#  Then
        Application.DisplayAlerts = False
            'Show and select available Sheet when macro is disabled
            Sheets("Sorry").Visible = True
            Sheets("Sorry").Select
            Range("A1").Select
            'Delete important WorkSheets! The only option left will be to
            'open with macro's disabled and with sheets("Sorry")
            Sheets("Data").Delete
            'Change or set PassWord
            ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs Password:="locked"
            'close WorkBook and Save Changes
            Application.Quit
            ThisWorkbook.Close SaveChanges:=True
        Application.DisplayAlerts = True
        Application.ScreenUpdating = True
        End If
    'Hide sheets available when macro is disabled
    Sheets("Sorry").Visible = xlVeryHidden
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_BeforeClose(Cancel As Boolean)
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    'Show sheets available when macro is disabled
    Sheets("Sorry").Visible = True
    Sheets("Sorry").Select
    Range("A1").Select
    'Hide sheets available when macro is enabled
    Sheets("Data").Visible = xlVeryHidden
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

/Roger

 

[Utradeshow]

That worked Great Jacob.. Thank you... Maybe I'll give Rogers a try too..

Thanks Guys... Dan

 

[tactps]

Roger's is probably better, as mine can be worked around by disabling macros.

Having said that:
1. My worksheets are fairly useless to the users without the other macros, and
2. I don't think any of them know enough Excel to even think of disabling the macros.

Thanks Roger, I will take this on board and try it next time I need a better method.