OFF2000: Using SelfCert to Create a Digital Certificate for VBA Projects

Microsoft Office 2000 includes a program that you can use to create digital certificates for signing Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) projects. The program is called SelfCert.exe. You can use it to create "test certificates" that you can use to sign VBA projects.

NOTE: Digital signatures that are created with the SelfCert program are for personal use only. They are not meant for commercial distribution of VBA solutions. The type of certificate that is generated does not verify your identity.

You should only use a self-signed certificate for personal use. If you need an authenticated certificate, you want to contact a certification authority, such as those listed at the following Microsoft World Wide Web site: The program discussed in this article is provided "as is" and Microsoft does not guarantee that it can be used in all situations. Although Microsoft support engineers can help with the installation and existing functionality of this program, they will not modify the program to provide new functionality.

Creating a Test Certificate

To create a test certificate for use with your VBA projects in Microsoft Office 2000, follow these steps:

1. On the Windows Start menu, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer.
2. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office folder, where Program Files is the drive and folder where you installed Microsoft Office 2000.
3. Find the SelfCert.exe program, and double-click it.
   
   NOTE: The SelfCert.exe program is not part of the standard installation of Microsoft Office. If you need to install the SelfCert.exe program, rerun Setup for Office CD1 and click Add or Remove Features. Click the plus sign (+) next to Office Tools; click Digital Signature for VBA Projects and then click Run from My Computer. Click Update Now.
4. After SelfCert starts, type your name in the Your name box, and click OK.

This will generate a digital certificate for the name you supplied.

For more information about digital certificates and signatures, click Microsoft Product Help on the Help menu, type How do I digitally sign my project in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.