Excel Software "Licensing"

blinkme323 · 06-05-2008, 10:30 AM

Hey guys, about a year ago my company created an estimating program in excel. They have began consulting other firms and would like give this software to them as part of their acceptance package.

My question is, my boss recently asked me if it would be possible to "license" the software so that after a year or so the program would cut off and require a new password for entry. If our client were to re-up their contract, we would provide them with the new password.

Is this feasible to do in Excel? The program is primarily in VBcode, so I'm wondering if something could be added to create this. Any help is appreciated

**jamiemac2005** · 06-08-2008, 08:07 PM

Hmm, so you want to "License" a spreadsheet?

I hate to say it but it's most likely breakable, Buuut a few ideas for you:

You Could(note the "Could")
- In the excel file find a cell which is key to the "estimating" program(e.g. a constant stored in a cell somewhere distant, or something that if changed will make the prog not work)
> change whatever's in there so that if the date is over the expiry time that it displays a "renew license" message[or something similar]
> Password protect the cell

(Of corse in this situation you would have to re-distribute the program every time the customer renews)... could you not re-write the program in a different language(or an actual language?)...

If you did that you would be able to also have a cell somewhere visible displaying a "blah days left" sort of thing, though in a scripted environment like excel it's going to be difficult[i think]... Still, if you give that a go and post back with your results then i'm sure we can help...

Cheers,
Jamey

06-05-2008, 10:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
blinkme323 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Excel Software "Licensing" Hey guys, about a year ago my company created an estimating program in excel. They have began consulting other firms and would like give this software to them as part of their acceptance package. My question is, my boss recently asked me if it would be possible to "license" the software so that after a year or so the program would cut off and require a new password for entry. If our client were to re-up their contract, we would provide them with the new password. Is this feasible to do in Excel? The program is primarily in VBcode, so I'm wondering if something could be added to create this. Any help is appreciated

06-08-2008, 08:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
jamiemac2005 Design Team Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Coventry, UK Posts: 1,880 OS: Vista, various linux distros	Re: Excel Software "Licensing" Hmm, so you want to "License" a spreadsheet? I hate to say it but it's most likely breakable, Buuut a few ideas for you: You Could(note the "Could") - In the excel file find a cell which is key to the "estimating" program(e.g. a constant stored in a cell somewhere distant, or something that if changed will make the prog not work) > change whatever's in there so that if the date is over the expiry time that it displays a "renew license" message[or something similar] > Password protect the cell (Of corse in this situation you would have to re-distribute the program every time the customer renews)... could you not re-write the program in a different language(or an actual language?)... If you did that you would be able to also have a cell somewhere visible displaying a "blah days left" sort of thing, though in a scripted environment like excel it's going to be difficult[i think]... Still, if you give that a go and post back with your results then i'm sure we can help... Cheers, Jamey