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 the more recent versions of Excel (beginning with Excel 2000) include a macro security feature which wasn't present in earlier versions. The default security setting, when first installing Excel, is "High." This setting automatically disables 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 to "Medium," which results in only a warning message about the macros rather than an outright disabling. To change the security setting, follow these steps if you are using a version of Excel prior to Excel 2007:

1. Choose Macro from the Tools menu, and then choose Security from the submenu. Excel displays the Security dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
2. Choose an available security setting.
3. Click on OK.

If you are using Excel 2007 then you should follow these steps to change the macro security level:

1. Click the Office button and then choose Excel Options. Excel displays the Excel Options dialog box.
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. (Click here to see a related figure.)
5. Choose an available security setting.
6. Click on OK.