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Licensing Spreadsheet via VBA / external software?

N

neoseo1300

New Member
Hi everyone,

I've built a complex spreadsheet that I would like to distribute online. However I'm struggling to find an appropriate solution to do so. I initially looked at compilers such as XLSPadlock, DoneEx, Xcell Compiler, etc.. but I realized having to distribute an EXE file online is an hassle (can't upload it online directly, needs to be zipped, usually blocked by browsers, antivirus, etc and doesn't work on mac computers..). So I'm now looking to find a way to do so without compiling anything (i.e. everything needs to be integrated in the spreadsheet via VBA). I know there is no ultimate protection method for excel files and if someone really wants to hack them, he will find a way, but at least I can try to make the process harder.

I found online a project called Unviewable+ that apparently helps secure a workbook and could make common hacks harder (again I know it's not completely hack-proof) and I would like you opinion on that? Do you think it's worth the cost or can I achieve a similar result with some VBA guides?

Second aspect of my problem is the licensing. The project mentioned above only helps with protecting the spreadsheet, but does nothing to prevent its illegal distribution. I'm therefore looking for a solution to allow for hardware-lock licensing (so even if the spreadsheet is distributed, it won't work without a valid license). The idea is that, at opening, the spreadsheet would ask for a license key and communicate with my website to check if it is valid and then open the file only on one identified computer (the license key would have already been generated at the time of the online purchase).

The developer of the Unviewable+ project shared with me the links below for licensing programs / codes:

https://licensespring.com/pricing
https://www.softworkz.com/
https://wyday.com/limelm/signup/
https://www.microcosm.com/products/copyminder/prices
https://soraco.co/Pricing/
www.ssware.com/cryptolicensing/order_ocx.htm
www.licensespot.com/pricing
www.sciensoft.com/solutions/node-locked-license.html
https://enigmaprotector.com/en/orderoap.html
https://www.obsidium.de/show/buy/en
https://www.keyzy.io/

Do you guys know any of them? I'm not sure how easy it is to integrate them with an excel spreadsheet (or if they even are compatible with such file) or if there is an simpler alternative through VBA to get the same result?

I'm hoping others have been in this situation before and can provide some guidance on this topic.

Thanks a lot,
Neo
 
Thank you Luke. Indeed, I wasn't aware of this requirement when I first posted this topic.

The initiale problem still remains so any help or guidance would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
 
Any ideas? I'm really wondering how I can integrate an online licensing system into an excel spreadsheet. If anyone has any suggestion or guidance, it would be much appreciated!

Thanks again
 
neoseo1300 said:
Hi everyone,

I've built a complex spreadsheet that I would like to distribute online. However I'm struggling to find an appropriate solution to do so. I initially looked at compilers such as XLSPadlock, DoneEx, Xcell Compiler, etc.. but I realized having to distribute an EXE file online is an hassle (can't upload it online directly, needs to be zipped, usually blocked by browsers, antivirus, etc and doesn't work on mac computers..). So I'm now looking to find a way to do so without compiling anything (i.e. everything needs to be integrated in the spreadsheet via VBA). I know there is no ultimate protection method for excel files and if someone really wants to hack them, he will find a way, but at least I can try to make the process harder.

I found online a project called Unviewable+ that apparently helps secure a workbook and could make common hacks harder (again I know it's not completely hack-proof) and I would like you opinion on that? Do you think it's worth the cost or can I achieve a similar result with some VBA guides?

Second aspect of my problem is the licensing. The project mentioned above only helps with protecting the spreadsheet, but does nothing to prevent its illegal distribution. I'm therefore looking for a solution to allow for hardware-lock licensing (so even if the spreadsheet is distributed, it won't work without a valid license). The idea is that, at opening, the spreadsheet would ask for a license key and communicate with my website to check if it is valid and then open the file only on one identified computer (the license key would have already been generated at the time of the online purchase).

The developer of the Unviewable+ project shared with me the links below for licensing programs / codes:

https://licensespring.com/pricing
https://www.softworkz.com/
https://wyday.com/limelm/signup/
https://www.microcosm.com/products/copyminder/prices
https://soraco.co/Pricing/
www.ssware.com/cryptolicensing/order_ocx.htm
www.licensespot.com/pricing
www.sciensoft.com/solutions/node-locked-license.html
https://enigmaprotector.com/en/orderoap.html
https://www.obsidium.de/show/buy/en
https://www.keyzy.io/

Do you guys know any of them? I'm not sure how easy it is to integrate them with an excel spreadsheet (or if they even are compatible with such file) or if there is an simpler alternative through VBA to get the same result?

I'm hoping others have been in this situation before and can provide some guidance on this topic.

Thanks a lot,
Neo
Click to expand...

Hello eveyone
I am very new to this but I want to use online licensing tool for my excel workbook template. I was looking at this posts and found very helpful. I looked at last website keyzy.io and they offer some free account to try out. For excel licensing they want me to build REST API in my workbook and then they can help me integrate it with my keyzy account. I am very new to this concept REST API. Is there any one can help me in detailed instruction how can i use that ? or are there any people I can pay small amount who can do it for me?
Thanks
Amit
 
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