Enable macros in Excel? | Microsoft Excel

How do I enable macros in Excel? This article will provide four ways to enable Excel macros. You can refer to the table below to jump directly to a specific method.

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Excel Macros: A Comprehensive Guide

Before delving into how to enable macros in Excel, it's important to understand that an Excel macro is a code that automates a specific task or a series of tasks. It can be thought of as a shortcut that records a sequence of steps, which can be repeated with a simple command or by clicking a button.

Suppose you have to format a monthly sales report, say, by adding headers, setting formats for specific cells, or including formulas. In that case, you can record a macro once and then run it every time you need to format the report, saving time and reducing errors. Excel macros have many advantages:

- Significantly improves efficiency - Reduces the likelihood of errors - Standardizes specific processes through sharing with other users

Still, caveats apply: macros can be confusing to those unfamiliar with automation, and they can pose a security risk if they contain malicious code.

This article will show you how to enable macros in Excel. Keep reading for a detailed tutorial.

How to Enable Macros in Excel [4 Ways]

Enabling macros in Excel is as simple as turning on AutoSave in Excel, and it can be done in several ways. In this guide, we'll walk you through each method with clear, high-resolution screenshots to make sure you can do it easily.

Please refer to the guideline video with timestamps for further assistance:

• 00:00 Introduction to Macros in Excel
• 02:03 Enabling Macros through a Security Warning
• 05:17 Activating Macros in the Backstage View
• 07:23 Enabling Macros using the Trust Center

Method 1: Enable Excel Macros through the Security Warning

For your protection, Excel blocks any macros in a file, especially if you downloaded the file from email or the web. When you open a workbook that contains macros, you might see a security warning at the top.

To enable the macros in the Excel file, you click “Enable Content,” which allows the macros in the workbook to run. Thereafter, you can choose to run it manually, or, if it is designed to run automatically, it will do so on its own.

Make sure you trust the file running the macro before enabling it. Is it easy to enable macros in Excel? Share this page to let more readers know this simple method!

Method 2: Enable Excel macros in Backstage view

The second is also not hard: you simply enable Excel macros in the ribbon's “Developer” tab.

Step 1. Open your Excel file. If it's the first time you open it and it contains macros, you should get a clear warning. If your Excel file got corrupted out of the blue, try to repair the corrupted Excel file first.

Step 2: Click on the disabled macro button, or go to File > Info > Enable Content to enable all content, as shown in the image below:

Enable macros through the backend

This will remember the document and add it to the list of trusted documents, so that you won't see the warning the next time you open it.

Method 3: Enable Excel Macros Through the Trust Center

In the Trust Center, you can choose one of four security levels under Macro Settings. Disable All Macros with Notification provides the highest level of security, and Enable All Macros provides the lowest.

Please go to "File" > "Options" > "Trust Center" > "Trust Center Settings" > "Macro Settings". Here, you can choose the desired restriction level for macro execution. You can select the corresponding section to enable macros as needed.

Method 4: Enable Excel Macros for One Session

If you don't want to trust macros generally but want to enable them temporarily for a single session, you can use the one-shot method:

Step One: Open the file, but don't click “Enable Content” or anything else.

2. Click the File tab > Info. In the Security Warning area, click Enable Content > Advanced Options.

Step 3 In the Microsoft Office Security Options dialog box, select Enable content for this session, and then click OK.

This will toggle the macro setting on for this session. When you close and reopen the workbook, the warning will appear again.

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How to Resolve Issues with Microsoft Blocking Macros When Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint block macros, it's usually due to security settings or unknown macro sources. Here are steps to troubleshoot and fix this issue: 1. **Verify Macro Settings**: - Open the Microsoft Office application. - Go to the "File" menu and select "Options." - In the dialog box that appears, click "Trust Center." - Click "Trust Center Settings." - In the Trust Center, choose "Macro Settings." - If set to "Disable all macros with notification," change it to "Enable all macros (not recommended; potentially harmful code can run)." 2. **Add a Trusted Source**: - If you're opening a macro-enabled file from a specific location, add that location to the trusted locations list. - In the Trust Center, click "Trust Center Settings," then choose "Trusted Locations." - Click "Add New Location" and specify the folder path. - Make sure to check "Subfolders of this location are also trusted." 3. **Sign Macros**: - If the macros are created and signed by a trustworthy developer, ensure your system recognizes the signature. - In the Trust Center's "Digital Signatures" section, check the signature status. 4. **Lower Security Level Temporarily** (Not Recommended): - This is not advised as it may expose your computer to malware risks. - In the Trust Center, under "Macro Settings," select "Enable all macros (not recommended; potentially harmful code can run)." - Remember to revert to a safer setting after testing. 5. **Update and Scan**: - Ensure your Office application and antivirus software are up-to-date. - Run a full system scan to confirm there are no malware issues blocking macros. 6. **Contact Support**: - If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider contacting Microsoft support or a professional IT service for assistance. Be cautious when enabling macros from unknown sources, as it can pose security risks. Only enable macros if you trust the source of the document.

Sometimes, you might see a message that says “Macros have been blocked by Microsoft.” This is usually due to your macro security settings. There are several ways to unblock it, but if you're working with a trusted document, you don't want this to happen repeatedly.

Step 1: Open Excel and go to Excel Options

Open Microsoft Excel, then click the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the window. This will prompt a drop-down menu. Click Options in this menu. Doing so opens the Excel Options dialog box.

Step 2: Go to the Trust Center and change the macro settings

In the left pane of the Excel Options dialog box, click Trust Center, and then click Trust Center Settings, which opens yet another dialog box.

From the left menu, select “Macro Settings.” You should see four options related to macro settings.

Here are your options:
• Disable all macros with notification: This is the default setting for Excel, and it might be why macros are blocked for you.
• Disable all macros with notification: Allow macros to run, but notify you when a workbook contains macros.
• Enable all macros: Choose this if you completely trust the source of the workbook and want to enable all macros without any notification.

Important: Use the last option only if you are certain that the macro content is safe.

Step 3: Check the Trusted Locations

If the problem persists after you change the macro settings, there's another location you can check: Trusted Locations. If the file is saved in a trusted location, Excel allows macros to run automatically.

Add a trusted location:

Step 1: Go to Trusted Locations and click Add New Location.

Step 2. Navigate to the folder where the macro-enabled workbook is saved, and then click OK. (You can check the location in File Explorer to confirm.)

Step 3: Close and reopen Excel. The file should now open normally without any macro blocking.

If you want to learn more about Excel issues, like Excel freezing, you can click the link to read more.

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Use Recovery Software to Restore Lost Macro-Enabled Excel Files

Data loss can happen to anyone, and it can be particularly frustrating when it involves important Excel files. Fortunately, the Data Recovery Wizard is a reliable tool in such situations. This software enables you to easily recover corrupted macro-enabled Excel files. Learn more about the Data Recovery Wizard below.

Conclusion

In summary, Excel macros are a flexible and powerful tool that can significantly boost your efficiency when working with Excel files. We've detailed how to enable Excel macros, what to do when Microsoft blocks them, and even how to recover your Excel file using the Data Recovery Wizard tool. We highly recommend downloading this recovery tool.

Frequently Asked Questions about Enabling Macros in Excel 1. What are macros? Macros are a series of automated commands in Microsoft Excel used to perform specific tasks or a set of tasks. They save time, enhance efficiency, and simplify repetitive processes by recording and replaying user actions. 2. How do I create a macro in Excel? To create a macro, first, enable the "Developer" tab if it's not visible. Then click the "Record Macro" button, perform the desired actions, and stop the recording when finished. The macro will be created and can be edited, named, and run from the "Macros" dialog box. 3. Why do I need to enable macros? Sometimes, an Excel workbook may contain features designed with macros. To fully utilize these features, macros must be enabled. Otherwise, you won't be able to see or run them. 4. How do I enable macros in Excel? When opening a file with macros, Excel might prompt you to choose "Enable Content" or "Enable Macros." If macros are disabled, you can change this in Excel's Trust Center settings: "Trust Center" > "Trust Center Settings" > "Macro Settings," then select "Enable all macros (not recommended; potentially harmful code can run)." 5. Is it safe to enable macros? Enabling macros can be risky because malware sometimes uses macros for propagation. Therefore, only enable macros in workbooks from trusted sources and keep your antivirus software up-to-date. 6. What should I do if I don't trust the macros in a workbook? If unsure about the workbook's safety, opt to "Disable Macros" or scan for viruses before selecting "Enable Content." You can also open the file in Protected View, which allows previewing content without automatically running macros. 7. Will enabling macros affect my Excel performance? Macros can impact Excel's performance, especially if they're complex or run for extended periods. Optimizing macro code and maintaining a well-configured computer can help minimize potential performance issues. 8. Do macros work in all versions of Excel? Not necessarily. Macro compatibility depends on the Excel version. Older macros might not function correctly in newer versions, and vice versa. Ensure that the macros are designed for your Excel version, or use a compatible version to open the file.

Before wrapping up, we've identified common questions users often have when working with Excel macros. We've compiled a list of these queries along with detailed answers to help you gain a deeper understanding of Excel macros.

How do you enable macros in Microsoft 365? To enable macros in Microsoft 365, follow these steps: 1. Open a Microsoft Office application such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. 2. Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner. 3. Select "Options" from the dropdown menu. 4. In the "Options" window, choose "Trust Center." 5. Click on the "Trust Center Settings" button. 6. In the "Trust Center" window, locate and click on "Macro Settings." 7. Here, you can choose different macro settings: - If you want to enable all macros and run them without warnings, select "Enable all macros." - If you prefer to receive a warning before running macros each time, choose "Enable all macros (not recommended; potentially dangerous code could run)." - If you don't want to run any macros, select "Disable all macros without notification." 8. After choosing your preference, click "OK" to save the settings. Please note that enabling macros may increase security risks, as malicious code can be spread through macros. Therefore, ensure you only open and run macros from trusted sources.

The process for enabling macros in Microsoft 365 is similar to other versions of Excel. You would click "File" > "Options" > "Trust Center" > "Macro Settings." Here, you can choose the security level for running macros.

2. Can I recover an Excel file with macros?

Yes, it is possible to recover an Excel file with macros enabled, and the process is quite straightforward. With the right tool, such as Data Recovery Wizard, you can effectively recover lost or deleted Excel files, including those with macros. You can also utilize the AutoSave feature to recover unsaved Excel files.

How do I automatically enable macros in Excel VBA?

While convenient, Excel VBA macros are not automatically enabled for security reasons. However, they will run automatically if the Excel file is opened from a trusted location or if the macro settings are set to “Disable all macros with notification.”

Why does Excel block macros from running?

Due to security settings, Excel might prevent macros from running. If your setting is "Disable all macros with notification," macros will be blocked automatically. This could be because the macro uses an outdated digital certificate or isn't trusted on your device. If you're sure the macro is safe, you can resolve this by adjusting the settings in the "Trust Center."