Datasheet

Create a
Digital Signature
Chapter 1: Using Macros and Form Controls
7
I
f you create a workbook that contains macros,
you should consider using a digital signature. A
digital signature provides assurance that the
workbook file is valid and no one has altered it. You
can create a personal digital signature by using the
Microsoft Selfcert.exe tool. Projects signed with digital
signatures created with the Selfcert.exe tool only
work on computers that have the certificate in their
Personal Certificates store.
Digital signatures that you create with the
SelfCert.exe tool work well for personal workbooks;
however, if you plan to distribute your workbook to
users outside your workgroup, you should consider
acquiring a commercial digital signature file. When
you use a commercial digital signature file, the digital
ID attaches to the macro and remains with it; if
anyone alters the macro, Excel notifies the user that
someone has changed the macro and therefore the
macro should not be trusted.
The most common provider of commercial digital
certification is VeriSign, Inc. You can find out more
about obtaining a commercial certification from
VeriSign at www.verisign.com.
Create a Digital Signature
1 Click Start.
2 Click All Programs ➔ Microsoft Office ➔
Microsoft Office Tools ➔ Digital Certificate
for VBA Projects.
2
1
3
4
The Create Digital Certificate dialog box
appears.
3 Type the name you want to give your
certificate.
4 Click OK.
Excel creates a Personal Digital Certificate.
To view the certificates in your Personal
Certificate store, open Internet Explorer. On the
Internet Explorer menu, click Tools and then
click Internet Options. The Internet Options
dialog box appears. Click the Content tab. Click
the Certificates button. The Certificates dialog
box appears. Click the Personal tab. All of your
personal certificates appear.
04_132302 ch01.qxp 7/27/07 9:19 PM Page 7