Up until TY2017, yes: it was an unencrypted binary file, and an acquaintance had already cracked it with a VBA script that I took advantage of for many years.

TY2018, they completely re-wrote everything, so now you really do need to have the ODBC connection in place.

Once you do, then you open your program of choice--I use Paradox, I know others use Access, one guy up in NYC that I was trading emails with at one point has a VERY nicely blinged out Excel spreadsheet that largely duplicates (and expands upon) the old Lacerte tracking (showing return progress across ALL modules), someone here on these boards is using Python, others Javascript--and then you will be able to <do things> with the file.
  In order to do so, though, you still have to input a valid Lacerte license at the login.

So, no.  I think at this point, "ODBC" and then proceed is going to be your answer.



Robert