How to Password Protect PDF Files using VBA

This is probably one of the most requested topics I got from my mail merge automation video. In this tutorial, we are going to look at how to use VBA in Excel to password protect a list of PDF files.
Download the command line encryption tool: learndataanaly...
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#VBA #PDF #Encryption

[@jiejenn]

There is a space after the exe path. ".exe " -> yes ".exe" -> no

[@ShrajanShetty]

Hi, could you provide the source code for this please?

[@designexperience]

Couldn't download encryption tool 😢

[@ramachandramurthykota4841]

I am getting Runtime Error 1004 for this code Call Shell("encrypt_pdf.exe " & Chr(34) & .Cells(row_number, “B”).Value & Chr(34) & " " & Chr(34) & .Cells(row_number, "F").Value & Chr(34), vbNormalFocus) Can some one help me in cracking this error please

[@shinli3632]

This is very helpful, thank you very much for sharing

[@aidianyingren]

Hi thank you for the program. However when I ran it, it does not automatically fill the PDFEncrypt menu. I need to type in. Do you know why? Thanks

[@nurulsyuhada6493]

Hi! If I send the encrypted PDF files via email/telegram to many recipients, will the password work?

[@ve6571]

where can we get encrypt_pdf.exe file

[@amitmishra1513]

Thanks excellent Video but it had encrypted only one file out of 3 when I run first time and 2nd time nothing happen

[@abdelrhmanmohamed678]

Can you share the decompiled python code , I'm seeking to encrypt the pdf file with two passwords (owner and user) ?

[@abhishodhds5322]

Hi jie Can you make a video on creation of exe file

[@fksoftware]

Excellent tool and thanks for sharing. Can we use the same tool to encrypt pdf to prevent editing or copying not password to open?

[@jiejenn]

I don't think that's possible as far as I know.

[@mariomakarawo]

Hi, can u help me, the application can’t working, i got notif encrypt_pdf.exe: error: following arguments are required: password Pls help to solve. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@aarondumapias6084]

Hi did you already solve this problem?

[@ekayuanita3026]

very useful. thank you

[@onemusic3924]

How to fix the Run-Time error 5 Invalid procedure called argument?

[@MrMarek27]

I want to use your method but i cant. Excel show Error "Object doesn't support this property or method". Do you know why? I have Office 2019 Home edition.

[@cendydahinog1520]

i put your code and download encrypt_pdf but nothing happen😢.. can u help me ?

[@cfisher3428]

thanks, this is very useful

[@kmdafzal]

Very much useful

[@neerajburra]

I am getting error 9, subscript out of range. Can anyone help me???

[@DeadbeatGaming1705]

Hey, can i merge this module into a separate module so that the mail merge, creation and encryption could be done together rather than seperate modules??

[@jiejenn]

Sure, you can.

[@samoaha]

first working and for second not working. hmmmmh

[@kentlee3928]

Hi. It shows "Run-time error "9": Subscript out of range When I run the macro. Please assist. Thank you!

[@jiejenn]

Looks like the program cannot read your table properly.

[@sergioaguirre3295]

You are amazing!!! This helps me a lot! Thanks!!!

[@jiejenn]

I am guessing you got your issue resolved?

[@sergioaguirre3295]

Yes! I was able to solve it, you have no idea how you help me with this tutorial

[@VBAbyMBA]

Is it possible for vba to encrypt while exporting pdf without using third-party software

[@jiejenn]

I don't think that's possible at this point. If you do find a way, do let me know and I will buy you a coffee.

[@terencexie2601]

what if i have a few filepath to encrypt example: filepath 1 to filepath 6?

[@jiejenn]

Update your file paths?

[@nesyfitria4610]

hi, can I use other software rather that encrypted_pdf.exe such a password tool?

[@jiejenn]

Sure. If you do a Google search you should find a few 3rd party tools to encrypt PDD files.

[@dominic2534]

Hi, I am receiving the message "runtime error'53': file not found". I have seen other comments where you said to specify the file location in a variable to point to the binary. Can you explain how to do that? Where should it be included in the code?

[@jiejenn]

Makes sure the spaces are in the correct places.

[@dominic2534]

@@jiejenn thank you for replying. The file name I entered like you did in your video. I do not know where to put the folder location.

[@jessefreitag5374]

Hello, I copied the code exactly written, installed the encryption tool and when I run the macro, nothing happens. I open the pdf and there is no password. Do you have any advice?

[@jiejenn]

Hard to tell without looking at your code.

[@jessefreitag5374]

​@@jiejenn Code is below. Same as the video. I am saving my encrypt_pdf.exe , my excel file, and my pdf in the same path. The Call Shell("") command does not open the command line tool and when I run the command line tool, it opens quickly and immediately shuts. I even tried running as administrator. Sub PasswordProtect() Dim file_name As String Dim row_number As Long, last_row As Long Dim wsList As Worksheet Set wsList = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("List") With wsList last_row = .Cells(Rows.Count, "A").End(xlUp).Row For row_number = 2 To lastrow Call Shell("encrypt_pdf.exe " & Chr(34) & .Cells(row_number, "A").Value & " " & Chr(34) & .Cells(row_number, "B").Value & Chr(34), vbNormalFocus) Next End With End Sub

[@jessefreitag5374]

I am not getting an error, just nothing happens and I believe someone below has had the same issue in recent months. Can you please look into this and see if it works on your end still? Would be greatly appreciated!

[@Smiledaiykub]

Hi, Do you have encrypt_pdf for mac version?

[@jiejenn]

Only Windows.

[@sushenranjandas451]

Hello sir, Is there any way to decrypt pdf password using macro, like this?

[@jiejenn]

Good suggestion. Let me put up a follow up video in the future.

[@sushenranjandas451]

@@jiejenn Thank you.

[@purplemoorselle]

Hi, this looks amazing! But is it possible to apply the macro to the pdfs instead of the .exe file?

[@jiejenn]

Not sure if I follow your question.

[@purplemoorselle]

@@jiejenn uhm but you have .exe file to which u applied the macro ight? Just wanted to know if this can be replicated to pdf files directly.

[@jiejenn]

The macro calls the exe file. VBA doesn't have a defaulf library to work with PDFs.

[@purplemoorselle]

@@jiejenn I see. So it means I need to create a .exe file first?

[@sifatullah8071]

Can anyone share this code to me ?

[@DrJohnners]

Excellent tool! Many thanks. One thing i was wondering is why is the .exe so big, I'm guessing it's because there are a number of heavy runtimes that you need?

[@jiejenn]

This tool was packaged using the old Python library called pyinstaller, which the packaging mechanism wasn't very efficient. They have since improved the packaging mechanism, and the executable file size is much smaller. I probably need to repackage this app when I get a chance.

[@raymarc3353]

Hi, I'm getting a debug error in line 5, set...kindly help I'm using office 19

[@jiejenn]

Are you using Windows or MacOS?

[@khanhhuynh5557]

Hi, Just add the folder path where you put file "encrypt_pdf.exe" in the call command. It will solve the problem. E.g. Call Shell(ActiveWorkbook.Path & "\" & "encrypt_pdf.exe " & Chr(34)...

[@ThanhNguyen-dw4il]

​@@khanhhuynh5557 It is run but pdf output file is no password. Maybe file ecrypt_pdf is not working.

[@chiragpatel1706]

File not found error ??

[@jiejenn]

Just tested, it is there.

[@chiragpatel1706]

@@jiejenn Yes all file are in same folder 🤔( runtime error'53': file not found)

[@sergiocastro1561]

same error here, file not found error 53

[@akashrawat5329]

@@jiejenn Please can you help resolve this error.

[@khanhhuynh5557]

Hi, Just add the folder path where you put file "encrypt_pdf.exe" in the call command. It will solve the problem. E.g. Call Shell(ActiveWorkbook.Path & "\" & "encrypt_pdf.exe " & Chr(34)...

[@onemusic3924]

Can you send VBA code sir ?

[@jiejenn]

Maybe type it out yourself?

[@floalas]

Hello JieJenn, I don’t have Python Exe file & I know it will not work. How shall I get it from you?

[@jiejenn]

Not sure if I understand your question.

[@floalas]

In your video you mentioned create using python. There was an . Exe file on your video. How can I get this file ? The script won’t work without this file.

[@jiejenn]

@@floalas I used Python to create the command line tool. You don't need Python to use the tool.

[@floalas]

I don’t have the encrypt_pdf.exe. I tried to run the script got error.

[@jiejenn]

Ok.

[@LoneIcon]

hi, i tried it today and i got this error "runtime error'53': file not found" The error is pointing to Call Shell("encrypt_pdf.exe" ...

[@jiejenn]

The error is due to VBA cannot locate the binary.

[@Indie-Digger]

@@jiejenn Is there a way to let VBA to locate the binary?

[@jiejenn]

You specify the file location in a variable to point to the binary.

[@Indie-Digger]

@@jiejenn Thx for replying so fast,, it's really my first time to use VBA.. would you please tell me how to set the location in the variable?

[@sergioaguirre3295]

I’m facing the same issue

[@erikachen5747]

How can I create the file of pdf.exe??Thank you.

[@jiejenn]

I'm not following your question.

[@erikachen5747]

There is a file named of “encrypt_pdf.exe. You mentioned that is created using Python and will share the source code in another tutorial.

[@jiejenn]

Oh yeah. I haven't create the tutorial for that. Been busy.

[@susmithasunil6611]

@@jiejenn please share the tutorial for the same

[@yashkumargupta7102]

@@jiejenn Hi Jie, Can you please share the Tutorial for encrypt_pdf.exe

[@priyanthagamini3860]

Exactly Good ❤️❤️❤️ would you please give me the link for "encript_pdf.exe"

[@sifatullah8071]

Can you send VBA code sir ?

[@jiejenn]

Maybe type it out yourself?