how to create a digital signature in excel

The value is a number that a cryptographic algorithm generates for any data that you want to sign. Digital signatures can also help you distinguish workbooks and macros created by a reliable source from undesirable and potentially damaging workbooks or macro code (viruses).Ī digital signature is a public certificate plus the value of the signed data as encrypted by a private key. What is a digital signature?Įxcel uses digital signatures on the workbook contents to help ensure that the workbook has not been modified and saved since it was signed. When a digital certificate is used to sign a file, this ID is stored with the file in a verifiable form so that it can be displayed to a user. The digital certificate contains information about the person to whom the certificate was issued, as well as information about the certifying authority that issued it.

To validate a signature, a certifying authority validates information about the creator of the file and then issues the digital certificate. They help to assure you that the file has not been tampered with.Ī digital certificate is an ID that a file carries with it. More information What is a digital certificate?ĭigital certificates and signatures help to assure you that the file that you are about to use comes from a reliable source. This ensures that you were the last person to make changes to the workbook or macro project. In Microsoft Office Excel 2003 and in later versions of Excel, you can digitally sign a workbook or code sign your macro project. For more information about this change, read this blog post. Office 365 ProPlus is being renamed to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise.

How to create a digital signature in excel