excel vba - VBA Project Password-Protect with SendKeys not Working Correctly -

i've spent last 2 days working on problem. of content i've found on topic doesn't address issue i'm having, i'm hopeful here can me.

i've been working on code following "master scorecard" workbook:

1. takes each "student" sheet in workbook , copies sheet new workbook,
2. does few minor manipulations of new workbook,
3. imports module of code new workbook,
4. adds workbook_open event , workbook_beforeclose event new workbook (to make sheets xlveryhidden depending on level of access),
5. runs subprocedure newly imported module,
6. saves , closes workbook.

each scorecard uses code ensure person name on scorecard can access it. i've used environ("username") in workbook events ensure security, know, if 1 , understands how run macros, he/she merely open vbeditor , unhide xlveryhidden sheets in workbook easily.

so, thought password protect new workbook's vbaproject programmatically (see above: step number five). found few sources online of how use sendkeys achieve goal (see below), sendkeys unreliable (at best) , isn't cooperating code. code works charm if run itself, if call project using run macro:="filename!macroname" doesn't set protection. after code has run , workbooks have been created, vbaproject properties window(s) earlier code open , try execute @ same time crashes excel.

sub lockvbaproject()  const vbaprojectpassword string = "123" dim vbp vbproject, openwin vbide.window dim wbactive workbook dim integer     set wbactive = activeworkbook     set vbp = wbactive.vbproject     application.screenupdating = false         ' close code windows ensure hit right project         each openwin in vbp.vbe.windows             if instr(openwin.caption, "(") > 0 openwin.close         next openwin         wbactive.activate application     '//execute controls lock project\\     .vbe.commandbars("menu bar").controls("tools") _         .controls("vbaproject properties...").execute     '//activate 'protection'\\     .sendkeys "^{tab}"     '//caution: either checks or unchecks the\\     '//"lock project viewing" checkbox, if it's already\\     '//been locked viewing, unlock it\\     .sendkeys "{ }"     '//enter password\\     .sendkeys "{tab}" & vbaprojectpassword     '//confirm password\\     .sendkeys "{tab}" & vbaprojectpassword     '//scroll down ok key\\     .sendkeys "{tab}"     '//click ok key\\     .sendkeys "{enter}"     'the project locked - takes effect     'the next time book's opened...     end   thisworkbook.saveas filename:=sheets(sheets.count).name, fileformat:=xlopenxmlworkbookmacroenabled  debug.print "it worked " & now()  end sub 

i'm not sure why happening; said, code works fine when run on own. found this post this link non-sendkeys approach outlined, written several years ago , i'm not sure how i'd need modify purposes since i've never coded in vb6...

are there thoughts why sendkeys method bunching after code has run instead of executing when it's supposed during code? should abandon sendkeys in favor of other method? i'm @ loss, appreciated!

edit: think reason code isn't working because correct project isn't activated @ time sendkeys code executed. had hoped activating proper workbook solve issue, doesn't appear have helped.

ok, after couple of hours of searching web alternative methods achieve goal, stumbled across this post.

i created template workbook (with event code in thisworkbook), password protected project, , modified code use template workbook each new sheet. when sheets created, project locked viewing , requires password. while realize security under approach isn't secure, "keep honest people honest" say.

for stumble across post , still wish programmatically lock/unlock vba project, see these resources:

this post
this blog

both great resources walk through way in vba.