Password in Excel only for Save

camille425 

In Excel, you cannot set a password to prompt for saving without going through a password-protected workbook, which also provides read-only access. However, you can implement a workaround using VBA to accomplish your goal. The idea is to use a macro to prompt for a password when you try to save the workbook, but allow free access for reading and editing.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up such a system:

1. Open your Excel workbook.
2. Press ALT + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.
3. In the VBA editor, right-click on the workbook name in the Project Explorer window and select "Insert" > "Module" to insert a new module.
4. Copy and paste the following VBA code into the module:

Vba code:

Private Sub Workbook_BeforeSave(ByVal SaveAsUI As Boolean, Cancel As Boolean)
    Dim Password As String
    Password = InputBox("Enter the save password:")
    
    ' Replace "YourPassword" with your desired password
    If Password <> "YourPassword" Then
        MsgBox "Incorrect password. Changes will not be saved.", vbExclamation
        Cancel = True
    End If
End Sub

5. Modify the code by replacing "YourPassword" with your actual desired save password.

6. Save the workbook as a macro-enabled workbook by selecting "File" > "Save As" and choosing the file type "Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm)."

7. Close the VBA editor.

Now, whenever you try to save the workbook, Excel will prompt for the save password. If you enter the correct password, it will allow you to save. If you enter the incorrect password or click Cancel, the changes will not be saved.

Please be aware that this method relies on security through obscurity. Anyone with access to the VBA editor can view the password. So, it's not a foolproof method, but it can help prevent accidental saves.The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

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