FAQ: Using encrypted zip files

Can CoolSpools password-protect an Excel file?

Yes, since 2018 CoolSpools V7R1 has included a new command LCKXLS to apply password protection to an XLS or XLSX Excel spreadsheet. If you are using an earlier version of CoolSpools then this command will not be available.

Another option is to use password-protected, encrypted zip files to distribute any file type including Excel spreadsheets, PDF documents and text files. This way you can password protect file types that do not natively support password protection.

Using zip files when emailing output

When you use the EMAIL(*YES) option to email a file from CVTSPLXLS, CVTDBFXL and other similar commands, there is an option on the EMAILOPT parameter to tell CoolSpools to email the file inside a zip. This helps minimize the size of the attachment you’re sending.

That option also allows you to specify a password for the zip file in which the attachment is emailed. If you specify a password, the zip file will be encrypted, giving you a good level of security.

Using the ZIPDTA and UNZIPDTA commands

The ZIPDTA (“Zip Data”) command that is provided as part of the CoolSpools Base option also supports the creation of password-protected, encrypted zip files and can be used to zip up stream files from the IFS or save file and database files from the /QSYS.LIB file system.

The UNZIPDTA (“Unzip Data”) command can unzip password-protected, encrypted zip files on entry of the correct password.