1. Green Error Triangles in All Formulas (No Formula Protection Enabled)
Based on your description:
- You are not using XLS Padlock’s formula protection.
- You have enabled “Perform a recalculation at startup,” “Use Excel automation for formula protection,” and “Ignore errors when processing the workbook.”
- This problem does not occur on your own computer, but does on end users’ computers after building the EXE.
The green triangle is Excel’s way of alerting to a perceived issue (e.g., numbers stored as text, inconsistent formula, etc.), but since you’re not using formula protection, it is likely not caused by formula obfuscation.
It could be due to differences between your Excel setup and the end users’ systems (Excel 2019 but different builds, regional settings for decimal separators, etc.) could trigger warnings on their machines.
Please ask end users to click the Green Triangle: if they click the triangle, Excel will show the warning message. Please have them report exactly what it says. This helps identify the underlying issue.
Then, also instruct users to go to
File > Options > Formulas > Error Checking. See what rules are enabled. “Enable background error checking” may be causing aggressive warnings.
Make sure that nothing in your workbook (like a macro or add-in) could be altering cell types or values at startup.
If possible, share with us a stripped-down sample workbook (removing confidential data) that still shows the issue when compiled, so it can be tested by us.
2. Online Activation for Multiple Workbooks
XLS Padlock’s online activation system is designed so that each compiled EXE (each workbook project) uses a unique set of Master Key and Security Private Key. But you can define different workbooks in the same workbooks.json file, so yes, you can manage activations for different workbooks using the same kit.
