Help wanted: VBA code for selectively protecting parts of MS Word

[L.]

Hi,

I need someone to write some VBA code for MS Word that does something macros
almost seem to do but not quite: protect selective parts of a word document
where the selection is determined programmatically.

I.e.., I have a regular expression that can identify the set of
non-contiguous strings in a document that I want other editors of this
document to view but not modify. (I write some Word documents in MS Word 2003
but then email them to outside reviewers who may accidentally break some
special text tags). I would like you to write me a VBA macro that can
implement this protection.

In addition, I want a macro that can allow editors of this document to
unlock (unprotect) any of the protected strings without unprotecting
everything. (BTW, MS Word 2003 allows you to do this manually via
Tools/Protect Document/Editing Restrictions/Exceptions, but it doesn't seem
to work when you select your text (e.g. via selecting a style) and then
record this action as a macro. Also, un-protection seems to be an all-or-none
action). Also, the solution should work for editors who are working in legacy
MS Word (Word 2000, XP, and 2003).

Thanks

 

[TC]

IMHO your best bet would be to get someone in your local area to do
this for you. See if there is a PC Training Center or suchlike. They
would have, or know, someone with suitable knowledge of VBA. It does
not sound like a difficult task. But it is too small, IMHO, to make it
worthwhile for someone on the other side of the world to take it on.

HTH,
TC

 

[L.]

Thanks, TC. I also suspect that this is a job that someone with the right
experience with VBA can do in a few hous. But I am not sure why I need
someone local? The specs are (or at least can be) well defined, I am happy to
pay by paypal or something like that.
L.

 

[TC]

Local would be easier, IMO, because the trust issues are simple. He
gives you the code, you give him the money! I imagine it's more
difficult when you have to communicate across the other side of the
world. For example, I could do that job, but it simply wouldn't be
worth my while, unless the person who wanted it could arrive at my door
to collect it & pay. Them's the issues I was thinking of. Also,
communicating requirements can be easier, when you can met face to
face.

One way or the other, I'm sure that you'll be able to get it done
without much fuss. Maybe you'll get some emails in reply to your post.
If not, I'd try the local thing. If no joy there, I know there are some
websites where you can post your requirements, & people bid on it. I
don't know what those are off-hand, but I'm sure that some judicious
googling would find them for you.

Good luck!
TC

 

[Cindy M -WordMVP-]

Hi =?Utf-8?B?TC4=?=,

I need someone to write some VBA code for MS Word that does something macros
almost seem to do but not quite: protect selective parts of a word document
where the selection is determined programmatically.

I.e.., I have a regular expression that can identify the set of
non-contiguous strings in a document that I want other editors of this
document to view but not modify. (I write some Word documents in MS Word 2003
but then email them to outside reviewers who may accidentally break some
special text tags). I would like you to write me a VBA macro that can
implement this protection.

In addition, I want a macro that can allow editors of this document to
unlock (unprotect) any of the protected strings without unprotecting
everything. (BTW, MS Word 2003 allows you to do this manually via
Tools/Protect Document/Editing Restrictions/Exceptions, but it doesn't seem
to work when you select your text (e.g. via selecting a style) and then
record this action as a macro. Also, un-protection seems to be an all-or-none
action). Also, the solution should work for editors who are working in legacy
MS Word (Word 2000, XP, and 2003).

Everything up to this last stipulation would be possible. This last simply is
NOT possible, since the range protection you see in Word 2003 was new in that
version.

The only thing earlier versions of Word support in the way of editing protection
is form fields. It might well be possible to do something like you envision with
form fields, but what the recipient of the document can do would be much more
limited. (And the costs for developing the code would be that much higher.)

Note: this is the kind of project I could do on a consulting basis.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 8 2004)
http://www.word.mvps.org

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