Product Releases

November 2018 - Version 4.0

• Updated encryption algorithm
• Updated activation checks based on alternative PC identifier options
• Updated user interface style
• Mask for defining output file
• Advanced encode settings save option
• User-definable text in document properties
• (Version 4.0 now available from our Download and Purchase pages)

February 2016 - Version 3.11

• Incorporating V3.10.1-3.10.2/November 2015-January 2016:
  • Fixed incorrect moved formula report in some spreadsheets
  • Formal support for Office 2016

June 2015 - Version 3.10

• Improved treatment of non-English language Excel functions on Encoder PC
• User option to encode for Client PC using either English or same (non-English) language as Encoder PC
• Client PC can now have regional settings (e.g. decimal point and list separator) different from Encoder PC
• Fixed issue where some PCs (depending on configuration and user access rights) required an additional activation
• Incorporating V3.9.1-3.9.3/August 2014-May 2015:
  • Fixed error in Client handling of hidden cells in some Office versions
  • Formal support for Office 2013

July 2014 - Version 3.9

• Improved Encoder startup when user has limited rights under Windows 7/8
• Improved security for the passwords used on the Encode options screen
• New option for the Encoder to specify the spreadsheet owner to be displayed on the Client splash screen
• Several bug fixes, including fix error processing precedents where a named variable string forms part of a valid cell reference

January 2014 - Version 3.8

• Improved compatibility checking between default version of Excel and Encoder input file
• Updated Document Sentry with latest authorization options
• Improved detection of Client activation status in License Manager
• Minor speed improvements when writing encrypted cell contents
• Improved treatment of workbooks containing chart/macro sheets

September 2013 - Version 3.7

• New authorization mode:
• Allow use of encoded spreadsheet to be limited to specific authorized (and activated) PCs
• New mode requires Client Version 3.7 or greater
• Where data cells as well as formulas are to be encrypted, pivot table results are automatically excluded
• (No longer any need to specifically exclude pivot tables on Advanced Encoder screen)
• Minor bug fixes

March 2013 - Version 3.6

• Rewritten spreadsheet read procedures allow LARGE reduction in load time for most *.xlsx files
• Support for Excel 2007-style template files (*.xltx, *.xltm)
• Improve error handling when default Excel version is 2003 or less and the Encoder attempts to open a 2007 file

August 2012 - Version 3.5

• Fast load option to bypass detailed cell checking prior to selecting encoding parameters
• Improve Advanced screen display refresh speed
• Improved detection of external references in Excel 2007/2010-style spreadsheets
• Client now better handles spreadsheets that have not been fully encoded
• License Manager does not require multiple entries of activation password within a single session

May 2012 - Version 3.4

• Allow faster reloading of same spreadsheet data
• e.g. after user clicks Back button from Encoding options screen
• Improved Client version notification

December 2011 - Version 3.3

• Improved initial spreadsheet load speed for sparse xls workbooks
• Improved clearing of Encoder temporary files
• Improved notification of license validity

October 2010 - Version 3.2

• Enable use with Excel 2010
• Improved handling of statistical functions such as STDEV
• Correct handling of locked data cells for *.xlsx spreadsheets, including correct color-coding on Advanced screen

May 2010 - Version 3.1

• Enable encryption of ROW and COLUMN functions
• Enable proper calculation of HLOOKUP, VLOOKUP functions where third parameter is a cell reference rather than a constant
• Improve Document Sentry default startup behaviour and defaults
• Eliminate repeated cell calculation error messages
• Reduce number of "encrypted formula too long" errors
• Improve treatment of encrypted named variables

December 2009 - Version 3.0

• Encode Excel 2007-format files (.xlsx, .xlsm)
• Improve reading and display of cells containing 'problematic' formulations
• Include Document Sentry as part of standard distribution (also available separately) - new utility for encrypting entire files
• (First Spreadsheet Sentry-branded version)

November 2009 - Version 2.3

• (Final ExcelSentry-branded version)
• Check that correct version of Excel is available prior to Encoder using it
• Increase range of circumstances allowing movement of hidden cells
• Allow additional functions using range precedents containing hidden cells
• Improve flexibility of permitted parameters to a function with hidden precedents

September 2009 - Version 2.2

• Beta Personal version that reads Excel 2007-format files (.xlsx, .xlsm) now available on request
• Multiple encoding options for network authorization
• Suppress repeated password requests when multiple spreadsheets are open

July 2009 - Version 2.1

• Allow use of Client with 64-bit operating systems
• Improve Client recalculation speed with hidden data
• Improved handling of cells that are unable to be encrypted  

March 2009 - Version 2.0

• Audit facility that will check for integrity of encrypted formulas
• Option to hide data display values
• Option to encrypt data cells
• Network authorization control (requires Network Authorization Server)
• Improved handling of Excel4 macro sheets
• Improved encryption algorithm
• Version 1 compatibility mode
• Updated user interface, improved color-coding on Advanced screen viewer
• Default user global options in configuration file

November 2008 - Version 1.5

• Improve include/exclude encoding of ranges
• Allow save and load of Advanced settings for a particular spreadsheet 
• Fully allow for Excel shared formulas   

July 2008 - Version 1.4

• Selection of ranges to include or exclude from encoding
• Visual display of cells to be encoded on Advanced screen 
• Permit encoding of template files
• Place encoding notification in File>Properties>Comments

January 2008 - Version 1.3

• Simultaneous release of ExcelSentry Personal Version 1.3, which is provided free for non-commercial use (encoded spreadsheets can only be used on Encoder PC)
• Permit easier operation by user with limited folder access rights (e.g. standard user under Vista)
• Various user interface improvements, including more useful display of cell contents on Advanced screen
• Allow encoding of worksheets that are already password-protected
• Operates correctly with Excel 2007 (provided spreadsheet to be encoded is compatible with Excel 2003) 

July 2007 - Version 1.2

• New formula encryption option that allows "structural" updates to be made to the encoded spreadsheet, including: 
  • movement of precedent data cells
  • movement of encrypted formulas
  • inserts and deletes of columns and rows
• Updated license management, making it easier to activate licenses on remote PCs
• Improved handling of some less common formula constructions
• Improved handling of multiple open spreadsheets (Version 1.2.1)

March 2007 - Version 1.1

• Automatic unlocking of data cells for fully-locked workbook
• Updated encryption parameters
• Improved license activation procedures

December 2006 - Version 1.0

• First version released for general use
• Wizard-based user interface