How to Enable Macros in Excel: A Complete Guide

How to Enable Macros in Excel? You might be wondering that it must be a daunting task but it's actually a pretty straightforward process. Enabling macros can save you a huge chunk of your time by automating repetitive tasks, helping you streamline your work and boost productivity. Foe Large Datasets or creating a new custom function, the use cases for macros are dynamic and the skill to enable them will make a real difference in your daily tasks. 

However, it’s important to approach this with care, as macros can occasionally pose security risks if not used properly. This blog will examine the steps to enable macros in Excel safely, ensuring you can make the most of this powerful feature. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to use macros effectively so you can simplify your workflows and focus on what truly matters. So, let’s get started! 

Table of Contents 

1) What is a Macro? 

2) Understanding Excel Macro Settings 

3) Enabling Macros for Individual Session on Excels 

4) How to Enable Macros in Excel Permanently? 

5) Enabling Macros Permanently in a Trusted Location 

6) Advantages of Using Macros in Excel 

7) How to Disable Macros in Excel? 

8) Conclusion 

What is a Macro? 

A macro is a set of instructions or actions that you can record and execute in Excel to automate repetitive tasks. It acts like a shortcut, allowing you to perform complex sequences of actions with a single click. Macros are created using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and are especially useful for improving efficiency. 

Understanding Excel Macro Settings 

Excel macro settings control how macros are enabled, disabled, and managed in your spreadsheets. These settings include options like disabling all macros, enabling them with or without notifications, and trusting macros from verified sources. Adjusting these settings ensures a balance between functionality and security, protecting your Data while enabling automation. 

Enabling Macros for Individual Sessions on Excel 

How to Enable Macros in Excel? Enabling macros, as we stated earlier in the blog is easy. There are two types of Macro enablement: 1. Individual Session and 2. Permanently. In this section, we will be looking at enabling macros for individual sessions. 

1) The first thing you need to do is to Open saved excel workbook or Launch a new excel workbook that contains the Macro you want to launch 

2) If the file contains the Macro, you are looking for, then you will see a yellow security warning at the top of the workbook. 

3) Now, click on the Enable Content button in the warning bar. This will allow the macro to run during your current session. 

4) Navigate to the Developer tab (enable it on the ribbon if it is not visible) and run the macro you need from Macros button if needed 

Remember, these steps are only for enabling Macros in Individual Sessions. Once you close the file, you will have to restart the macros using these steps again. To know how to enable macros permanently check out the next session. 

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How to Enable Macros in Excel Permanently? 

In the previous section we read how to enable Macros in Individual Sessions. Now this section will teach you how to enable macros permanently. We will not recommend this method of applying macros if your system operates on public or shared networks as it has associated security risks. If you are sure of your security measures, then we recommend you go ahead with enabling macros permanently. 

1) Launch Excel and click on the File option that is on the extreme left top corner. 

2) From there select Options from the sidebar 

3) Click on the Trust Center from the Excel Options Window and then select Trust Centre Settings 

4) In the Trust Center Window, click on Macro Settings in the sidebar 

5) Select the option Enable All Macros to allow macros to run permanently. You can also choose to run the Disable All Macros With Notification to decide case by case which macros to run permanently. 

6) If required (optional settings) tick the option Trust Access to the VBA Project Object Model for additional functionality. 

7) Click OK to save the changes you made in the Trust Center and in the Excel Options Window. 

8) Close and reopen Excel to apply all the settings. 

Enabling Macros Permanently in a Trusted Location 

Now in this section we will be exploring the process to Enable Macros in a Trusted Location. A trusted location is a folder where you can store your files that you don’t want to be scanned by trust scanner or be opened in protected view. 

1) Open Excel Options by clicking on the File button and then select options from the sidebar. 

2) Go to the Trust Center and then select Trust Center Settings 

3) In the Trust Center window, clock on Trusted Locations in the sidebar. 

4) Click on the Add New Location button. This allows you to specify a folder where all files including those with macros can be trusted. 

5) Specify the folder by clicking on the Browse button and select the folder you want to designate as a trusted folder. You can also check Subfolders of this Location are also Trusted if needed. 

6) Confirm settings by clicking OK. Then click on the OK button again to exit the Trust Center and the Excel Options window. 

7) Now you can save any workbooks with macros in this folder. 

This method ensures your macros run seamlessly while maintaining security access over which files are trusted. Always use secure folders to prevent unauthorised access. 

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Advantages of Using Macros in Excel 

Excel macros streamline workflows by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. They reduce manual errors, standardize processes, and handle complex tasks quickly. However, it's important to be aware of potential threats like Macro Virus, which can exploit macros for malicious purposes. Macros streamline workflows, especially for data analysis, reporting, or formatting. With Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), you can customize macros, tailoring them to your specific needs. Macros streamline workflows, especially for data analysis, reporting, or formatting. With Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), you can customise macros, tailoring them to your specific needs. 

How to Disable Macros in Excel? 

Once you have finished using the Macros in Microsoft Excel, you can always disable them to keep your files and folders secure. 

1) Open Excel Options: Launch Excel, click File in the top menu, and then select Options from the sidebar. 

2) Go to Trust Center: In the Excel Options window, click on Trust Center in the menu on the left, then select Trust Center Settings. 

3) Access Macro Settings: In the Trust Center window, click on Macro Settings in the sidebar. 

4) Disable Macros: Select Disable all macros without notification to block all macros or Disable all macros with notification to receive a warning before enabling macros manually. 

5) Disable VBA Access (Optional): For added security, uncheck Trust access to the VBA project object model to prevent unauthorised access to macros. 

6) Save Settings: Click OK to save your changes in the Trust Center and again in the Excel Options window. 

7) Restart Excel: Close and reopen Excel to apply the settings. 

Conclusion 

Enabling macros in Excel unlocks powerful automation capabilities, simplifying repetitive tasks and boosting productivity. By understanding macro settings and following the right steps, you can use them effectively and securely. Always ensure macros come from trusted sources to safeguard your data. With this knowledge, you’re ready to make Excel work smarter for you. 

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