How to enable a Macro on Excel

Purpose: To guide users on enabling macros on Excel workbooks

Audience: SD35 Staff

Estimated time to complete: 5-10 mins
 

• Office365

• Laptop

On Windows (Microsoft 365)

1. Open Excel and go to File > Options.

2. Select Trust Center > click Trust Center Settings.
    

   
    

3. In the Trust Center window, click Macro Settings.

4. Choose to Disable all macros with notifications

   
    

5. Click OK twice to save and exit.

To enable macros for a specific file:

• Open the file and click Enable Content on the yellow security warning bar.

  

On Mac (Microsoft 365)

1. Open Excel and go to the Excel menu (top left) > Preferences.
2. Click Security & Privacy.
3. Under Macro Security, choose:
   • Disable all macros with notification (recommended)
4. Close the Preferences window.

To enable macros for a specific file:

• When you open the file, click Enable Macros if prompted.

1. What are macros in Excel?
Macros are small programs written in VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) that automate repetitive tasks in Excel, such as formatting, calculations, or data manipulation.

2. How do I enable macros for a specific file?

• When you open a file with macros, Excel may show a yellow warning bar.
• Click Enable Content (Windows) or Enable Macros (Mac) to allow macros to run.

3. Are macros safe to use?

• Macros can be powerful but also risky if they come from untrusted sources. Always:
• Enable macros only from trusted files.
• Avoid enabling macros in files from unknown or suspicious sources.

• Contact information for further help.
  • IT Support Email: IT-Help@sd35.bc.ca
  • IT Support Phone: 778-726-4777