Hiding columns in a foolproof manner

[ajay_jain]

Hey experts,
I haven't been able to find any solution for hiding a few columns (with a password) in a workbook that I need to send to a large group. The columns have sensitive info that I can only share with a select few. If I try locking cells & then protecting sheet with password, then anybody can just write a formula in a new worksheet to reference to any of the hidden cells.
Is there really any method to crack this ?
Thanks,
Ajay

 

[mrshl9898]

Have you considered exporting the data you need them to see with VBA to a new workbook that doesn't contain that info?

 

[Michael M]

OR copy the data and paste to a new sheet as values only !
Then delete all columns not required !

 

[mikerickson]

Excel is not a secure platform.
If you don't want someone to have certain data, don't send it to them. Especially on an Excel spreadsheet.

 

[ajay_jain]

Thanks guys .. the challenges are I do not know VBA and this worksheet is a part of a complex workbook and therefore copying only the values won't work as I can't introduce new worksheets.

I was wondering that this should be a pretty standard functionality. And this has been implemented as well through locked cells and then protecting workbook. Only issue is that the method is not foolproof. Hence I was thinking if there is a more standardized way to achieve this ?

 

[sandy666]

make a copy of workbook then delete sensitive data/columns and send to the users

 

[Michael M]

Unfortunately, when a foolproof situation is created.......someone comes up with a much better fool !!!
If you data is that sensitive.....I'd suggest not using Excel.
But have a read of this thread, it may give you some ideas....

https://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-questions/493006-making-spreadsheet-tamper-proof.html