Creating Password-Protected Excel Files with openxlsx in R

In this article, we will explore the process of creating password-protected Excel files using the openxlsx package in R. Specifically, we’ll discuss how to use the protectWorkbook function to add a layer of security to your .xlsx files.

Background

The openxlsx package is a popular choice for working with Excel files in R. It provides an efficient and easy-to-use interface for creating, reading, writing, and manipulating Excel files. However, when it comes to password-protecting these files, the process can be a bit more involved.

One common approach is to use the write.xlsx function to create multiple data frames or sheets within an Excel file. While this method is convenient, it doesn’t inherently provide password protection for the entire workbook. That’s where the protectWorkbook function comes in – with some additional steps and considerations.

Problem Statement

The original poster asked how to password protect an Excel file created using the write.xlsx command from openxlsx. To tackle this question, we need to understand the basics of working with workbooks and sheets within R.

Here’s a simplified representation of the workflow:

library(openxlsx)

# Create a workbook object
wb <- createWorkbook()

# Add multiple data frames or sheets to the workbook
addWorksheet(wb = wb, sheetName = "Sheet1")  # Add first sheet
writeData(wb, sheet = 1, df)                # Write data to first sheet

addWorksheet(wb = wb, sheetName = "Sheet2")  # Add second sheet
writeData(wb, sheet = 2, df)                # Write data to second sheet

# Password protect the workbook (with a catch!)
protectWorkbook(wb, password = "random-password")

However, as shown in the original poster’s code snippet, simply using protectWorkbook with the write.xlsx object doesn’t work. That’s because write.xlsx creates each data frame or sheet as its own separate entity within the workbook, rather than as a single, cohesive unit.

Solution

To password protect an Excel file created using openxlsx, you need to create a workbook object and then use the addWorksheet and protectWorksheet functions to add multiple sheets and apply protection. Here’s the modified workflow:

library(openxlsx)

# Create a workbook object
wb <- createWorkbook()

# Define your data frames or sheets here...
df_ls <- diamonds %>% 
  select_if(is.ordered) %>% 
  gather(key, value) %>>%
  split(.$key)

# Add multiple data frames or sheets to the workbook
lapply(seq_along(df_ls), function(i){
  addWorksheet(wb = wb, sheetName = names(df_ls[i])) #Add each sheet
  writeData(wb, sheet = i, df_ls[[i]])       #Add data to each sheet
  
  # Password protect each sheet (with its own password)
  protectWorksheet(wb, sheet = i, protect = TRUE, password = paste0("Password-", i))
})

# Save the workbook with the password
saveWorkbook(wb, "example.xlsx", overwrite = TRUE)

In this revised workflow, we create a workbook object and then use lapply to iterate through each data frame or sheet. We add each sheet using addWorksheet, write data to it using writeData, and then apply protection using protectWorksheet. Each sheet is assigned its own password, which helps prevent unauthorized access.

Considerations

When working with password-protected Excel files in R, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind:

• Password complexity: It’s essential to choose strong passwords that include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information like your name or common words.

• **Password recovery**: While password-protected workbooks provide an added layer of security, they can also make it challenging for users to recover their data in case of forgetting the password. If you need to enable password recovery, consider using a separate sheet with recovery instructions and a less secure password.
  

• File format: When saving password-protected Excel files, ensure that the file is saved in the .xlsx format (not .xls). The latter format may not preserve password protection.

Conclusion

Creating password-protected Excel files in R can be achieved using the openxlsx package. By following this workflow and considering additional factors like password complexity and recovery, you can add an extra layer of security to your data and protect it from unauthorized access.

Last modified on 2023-09-26