I over-engineered a Standalone Invoicing App in Excel 2003 using VBA ID-Locks & Hidden Sheets. 💼📊
I built a high-performance Project Manager in Excel. Optimized for German businesses, powered by advanced VBA logic. This tool is the perfect alternative to expensive subscription-based software – no cloud, no monthly fees, just pure local automation.
Hi everyone!
I’ve been obsessed with pushing the limits of 'ancient' Office versions lately. I develop on a Windows 7 / Office 2003 rig, and I wanted to share my latest project: The 1-Click Project Manager.
It’s not just a spreadsheet; I tried to make it feel like a standalone application. Here’s how I handled the technical side:
- UI Lockdown: I used ID-filtering in the
Workbook_Openevent to disable standard menus (like 'Tools/Extras'), effectively 'capturing' the user in the app interface. - Security: Core logic and data sheets are set to
xlSheetHidden. They only toggle toxlVisibleonce a daily passkey (generated via a mathematicalCLng(Date)formula) is entered. - Workflow: It’s a dead-simple 'Start/Stop' timer that auto-generates invoice numbers and sends a formatted bill straight to the printer via VBA.
- Legacy Tech: Since I built it in 2003, it’s incredibly lightweight but it runs on modern 64-bit Excel as well.
I’ve integrated a PayPal QR-Code for the passkey activation to keep it seamless.
I know, I could have used a modern web app, but there's something magical about making 20-year-old software do things it wasn't supposed to do.
I’ve hosted the file (and my other weird Excel projects like my Resident Evil Remake) over at https://cookiesoft.io if you want to check out the UI.
Would love to hear your thoughts on using ID-control for UI locking – does anyone else still use this for 'standalone' Excel tools?
Cheers,
cookie_soft_57
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