Protect excel file with java

Question

Is there a way to create open protected excel file in Java? I'm looking at JExcelApi and Apache Poi projects but with both of them I cannot figure out how to protect generated xls file. I want to assure that generated file can be opened only by people that know password phrase.

Answer 1

One trick I've found when using POI is to create an Excel file with the feature I want embedded in it (e.g. a macro), and then use POI to open the file, modify it and then write it out.

So you may get what you want by creating a password-protected file, and then seeing if you can open and modify (and save) via POI. Of course, if password-protecting encrypts as well, then you're out of luck.

Answer 2

I would recommend using JACOB (COM->Java bridge), and control Excel via COM automation. This will, of course, require that Excel be installed on the machine in question.