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Hi Tony,
Modano protects the sheets containing module components within modular workbooks to maintain the integrity of this modular content. If this wasn't done, native Excel users (i.e. those without Modano installed) would be able to change non-assumptions content (such as formulas, etc.) within modules but these changes wouldn't be recorded within the modules themselves. When a modular workbook is opened with Modano installed, these sheets are unprotected and all changes to the components within them are recorded within their parent modules so they can be reused and shared, etc. It's all a bit strange coming from a native Excel world, but there's method behind the madness!
If you really want to understand how all the modular stuff works, I'd recommend doing the Modano practical learning exercises: https://www.modano.com/resources/learning/modano
The Release Excel Workbook tool allows a modular workbook to be converted into a native Excel workbook by unprotecting all of the sheets within it that contain module components and then removing all the modular data from it. It's a one-way street - as you can't then revert the workbook to being modular - and is designed to allow users distributing models built using Modano to 3rd parties not using Modano. This is only ever really necessary when building models for commerical use, so the Release Excel Workbook tool is not available in the free Community Edition of Modano, which is provided for educational, personal and not-for-profit use.
You can read about the Release Excel Workbook tool here: https://www.modano.com/resources/user_guide/modular_workbooks/release_ex...
Hi vsherman,
The workbook and sheet protection that is applied to the Excel file within a module (*.modm) file is required to ensure that Modano is able to insert that module into modular workbooks - i.e. to ensure that all changes to the content within its worksheets is recorded by Modano and stored in the module file.
With Modano loaded, valid module (*.modm) file will open in Excel unprotected and you won't even notice that workbook or sheet protection has been applied. However, if Excel crashes and the Excel workbook (e.g. *.xlsb file) within the module (*.modm) is recovered, Modano will not recognise the workbook as being part of either a module or modular workbook, and it will therefore appear as a protected file. So, basically, if Excel hangs, crashes, or is force-closed, any recovered workbooks within module (*.modm) files will open corrupted and locked for use.
In such cases, you can always use the Recover Files tool (Modano menu, System group, Help menu, Recover Files) to recover the last saved version of any module or modular workbook. In your case, all you need to do is re-download the module file from the Modano website and use the original.
I hope this makes sense. M.