Controlling a spreadsheet's savability

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sean M
  • Start date Start date
S

Sean M

Hello all,
I have an excel spreadsheet that I want to make viewable/editable, but not
savable for a client accessing it using a browser (ie). Could use some
pointers on:

- What's the best way to make an excel spreadsheet viewable/editable, but
not savable when a client is working with the spreadsheet in a browser?

My thoughts initially on it is to link directly to the excel file on the
server to view/edit the spreadsheet. Is this the best way to view/edit an
excel spreadsheet in the browser? Can I control and make sure a user can't
save the spreadsheet to his local machine? Do I need to script anything
with VB to get the spreadsheet editable but not savable in the browser?

Thanks for your help.

Sean
 
Sean,
You could save the file as Read Only with a password.

File>Save_As>Options
Enter password to modify and check Read only recommended.

Now anyone can open the file as read only, and make modification, but they cannot save it under the original name. However, they could save it under a new name.

Good Luck,
Mark Graesser
(e-mail address removed)

----- Sean M wrote: -----

Hello all,
I have an excel spreadsheet that I want to make viewable/editable, but not
savable for a client accessing it using a browser (ie). Could use some
pointers on:

- What's the best way to make an excel spreadsheet viewable/editable, but
not savable when a client is working with the spreadsheet in a browser?

My thoughts initially on it is to link directly to the excel file on the
server to view/edit the spreadsheet. Is this the best way to view/edit an
excel spreadsheet in the browser? Can I control and make sure a user can't
save the spreadsheet to his local machine? Do I need to script anything
with VB to get the spreadsheet editable but not savable in the browser?

Thanks for your help.

Sean
 
Mark,
Thanks for your reply, however this does not help. I need to be able to
view/edit the spreadsheet, but make it unsavable on the client machine from
the browser window.

Mark Graesser said:
Sean,
You could save the file as Read Only with a password.

File>Save_As>Options
Enter password to modify and check Read only recommended.

Now anyone can open the file as read only, and make modification, but they
cannot save it under the original name. However, they could save it under a
new name.
 
Excel isn't made for this kind of security. Anything you can devise could be
overcome by a person dedicated to get to your information.

Heck, just rightclicking on it in MSIE will allow them to download the workbook
without even opening it.
 

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