Using Self Certify Digital ID with Shared Files

T

Tom

You can use the MS Self Certification utility to create a
Digital ID to share macro enabled files with other XL
users, even those running at high security. Here's how:

File Originator:
1. Run c:\program files\OfficeXP\Office10
\selfcert.exe (if file not found, use add/remove on
MSOffice, it's in Office Tools)
2. Enter a name (eg John Doe, ACME Corp)
3. Open XL file you want to certify and open up VBE
4. Go Tools|Digital Signature
5. Click Choose
6. You should see the name of the cert that you just
created on this list. Select it then click OK, then OK
again
7. Save and Close file

Users:
When security is on Medium or even High
1. When the user tries to open the file they will
get the Security Warning dialog box with "Always Trust
Macros From This Source" grayed out.
2. Click Details
3. Click View Certificate
4. Click Install Certificate
5. Next, Next, Finished, then say Yes to add
certificate to Root Store
6. Click OK, OK, OK, then Disable Macro and the file
will open
7. Close file
8. Open file again, this time "Always Trust Macro
From This Source" is not grayed out. Check off this box,
then say Enable Macro. From now on you can open any
signed Office file from this user without any prompts : )

I have not found this procedure in any documentation,
just found it myself.

Warning: I have not found a way to uninstall Digital
Signatures from a machine and it seems to me that there
is a very slight performance hit on file saves once
installed.

Note: Developer can only create this Digi ID from this
PC.
 
G

Gord Dibben

Tom

To delete DC's from the computer you must use the Microsoft Management
Console(mmc).

Start>Run "mmc"(no quotes)>File>Add/Remove Snap-in.

Add>Certificates>Current User>Add>OK

After the Certificates Snap-in loads expand it and click on "Personal".

Delete any you don't want from the list.

This KB article is for Windows 2000 server, but I found it works for Windows
XP.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310389

BTW: if you go to Help>Answer Wizard and type in "self cert" or
"certificates" you will get some help on DC's

Gord Dibben Excel MVP
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top