Securing data in excel - how to prevent onward links into unprotected files

Copper Contributor

Hi all,

 

I need to secure information stored within an excel file, and prevent users from extracting it in bulk. It seems possible to disable the cut or copy functions using VBA (e.g. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/disable-copycutpaste-function-for-unlocked-ce...). Excel's protect sheet functionality could also be used to prevent the relevant cells from being selected in the first place, although this is undesirable in other ways. However, neither of these would stop someone from creating a new file or tab, linking to the data with a formula (e.g. "=Protected!A1" etc), and then copying the data from that unprotected location.

 

Is there a way to prevent other files or tabs from linking to the data I wish to protect?

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