Disabled Macros

If you recently upgraded to new version of Excel, you may have run into a situation where the macros you created in the earlier version no longer run because they are disabled. This can be disturbing, particularly if you absolutely need the macros to get your work done.

The reason this happens is that Excel includes a macro security feature designed to help protect your system from potential hazards. The default setting is to automatically disable any macros in any workbook that are not digitally signed by a "trusted source" (for more info, search for Macro Security in Excel's online help).

This automatically presents a couple of possible solutions. The first possible solution is to get your macros "digitally signed." Such a process is beyond the scope of this tip, but you can find help on the process in the online help files or at the Microsoft Web site.

Finally, you can lower the default setting for the macro security used by Excel. For instance, you can set it so that Excel displays only a warning message about the macros rather than outright disabling them. To change the security setting, follow these steps:

1. Display the Excel Options dialog box. (In Excel 2007 click the Office button and then click Excel Options. In Excel 2010 or a later version, display the File tab of the ribbon and then click Options.)
2. At the left side of the dialog box click Trust Center.
3. Click Trust Center Settings. Excel displays the Trust Center dialog box.
4. At the left side of the dialog box click Macro Settings. (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. The Macro Settings in the Trust Center dialog box.

5. Choose the desired security setting.
6. Click on OK.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (11194) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Disabled Macros.