I cannot get excel VBA macros to run since 9AM ET today 25.11.24.

Question

I cannot get excel VBA macros to run since 9AM ET today 25.11.24.

DavidFournier-4139 0

My excel VBA macros used to work. Now even the unchanged copies of the excel files will not run. I'm told "because of my security settings etc. etc. and am guided to try the trust centre...doesn't work. I followed the instructions, but which buttons to hit is not well explained - I've tried many mixes.

I've tried properties..UNBLOCK under file properties is described by several sources, but it does not even exist on my system.

I have also tried trusted location to no effect. (the macro is in an excel file on my C: drive.)

This problem started today sometime after 8:50 AM ET. This used to be an annoyance. Now it is paralytic.

PLease provide clear instructions that will stop this. I need it for work.

[Moderator note: personal info removed]

DavidFournier-4139 0 Reputation points

2025-11-25T03:50:07.2566667+00:00

3 approaches were suggested in the AI answer. I had already tried them all. I still get the message that I should reopen the file and try the macros again.

BUT the normal system withthe yellow bar worked on my backup computer. The macros options on this computer were set to "Disable VBA macros with notification.

I tried this on my main computer...no luck. But if I open the code (Alt-F11), I can run the code.

BUT I want to run the code from the initiating sub from typing ctrl-t .
DavidFournier-4139 0 Reputation points

2025-11-25T03:51:27.36+00:00

to be clear....I still need a permanent solution ...tnx

2 answers

Your answer

DavidFournier-4139 0 Reputation points

2025-11-25T03:50:07.2566667+00:00

3 approaches were suggested in the AI answer. I had already tried them all. I still get the message that I should reopen the file and try the macros again.

BUT the normal system withthe yellow bar worked on my backup computer. The macros options on this computer were set to "Disable VBA macros with notification.

I tried this on my main computer...no luck. But if I open the code (Alt-F11), I can run the code.

BUT I want to run the code from the initiating sub from typing ctrl-t .
DavidFournier-4139 0 Reputation points

2025-11-25T03:51:27.36+00:00

to be clear....I still need a permanent solution ...tnx

Answer 1

Dear @David Fournier,

Good day. Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum!

First of all, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you’ve experienced with blocked macros in Excel.

For better assist, please kindly let me know some information:

Please provide your Excel version by going to File > Account > About Excel (e.g., Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019)?
Is the spreadsheet stored on your local drive, a network share, or a synced folder like OneDrive/SharePoint?
Does this happen with all downloaded macro-enabled files or just this one spreadsheet?
Are there any users in your organization who have experienced the same issue?

In the meantime, please help me review and check these steps to narrow down the problem:

1.Add the Folder to Trusted Locations:

This step helps ensure that Excel files saved in this folder bypass macro security checks. If a folder isn't trusted, Excel will continue to block macros - even if you've clicked "Unblock" in the file's properties.
Go to: File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Locations.
If your file is stored on a network drive or a cloud location, you may need to check the box for "Allow Trusted Locations on my network" in the Trusted Locations section.

It appears that you have already completed this step. If the issue persists, please proceed with the next method.

2.Enable Macros:

Go to: File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings > Enable VBA macros (not recommended; potentially dangerous code can run)

Untitled

3.File block Settings on Trust Center

Trust Center Settings window > On right pane click > Protected View > Uncheck the "Enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet > Click OK. (test by disabling temporarily)
Trust Center Settings window again > On right pane click > File Block Settings, try UNCHECKING all boxes.
Save and Restart Excel
Test the file and macros

4.Resolve missing VBA references / 32-bit DLL Issues.

Open the files. If you get a compile error, click Debug to open the VBA editor.
In VBA > Tools > References. Look for any references marked missing: uncheck it or fix by installing the required library.
If the file is a 32-bit Active X/COM DLL, like swedll32.dll or other legacy DLL, install the 64-bit equivalent or dun the 32-bit Office build (or update the code to avoid that DLL). If the DLL is essential and only 32-bit exists, you either need 32-bit Office or an updated component compiled for 64-bit.

5.Disable suspicious Add-ins.

In Excel > File > Options > Add-ins.
On the bottom part >choose COM Add-ins > Go > Uncheck all non-Microsoft add-ins > OK
Restart Excel and test the file with Macro.

6.Repair and Update try to Repair Excel.

Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Microsoft Office > Modify > Quick Repair (as first try) > Online Repair (if quick repair fails). For reference: Repair an Office application

7.Check organizational IT policies (If applicable to your organization):

Please kindly contact your IT Admin to check Policies for Microsoft 365 apps:

User's image

Ensure your organization IT did not enable "Block macros from running in Office files from the internet" for Excel in https://config.office.comMicrosoft 365 Apps Admin Center > Customization > Policy Management.

User's image

Find Your Microsoft 365 Admin: If you’re unsure who the Global Admin is within your organization, you can find guidance on locating them here: How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin?

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

I'm looking forward for your reply.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

DavidFournier-4139 0 Reputation points

2025-11-25T15:04:01.6333333+00:00

PARTIAL SOLUTION MACROS NOW WORK. BUT AM I EXPOSED?

(note I could still run the macros from within the VBA editor, but I could not initiated a macro with ctrl-d for example

Answer 2

Please excuse the keyboard dyslexia.

extra info. Every excel file simply seems to show the following and I don't know where it came from for example:. https://abcoexida-my.sharepoint.com/personal/dfournier_exida_com/Documents/00--PERSONAL/_0-residences/0.452/452-electrical/452-electrical.smoke.23.11.20.xlsm[ ABCOEXIDA....POINTS TO OUR CLOUD. WHY i DON'T KNOW !! ]
```
  Note: After all the steps described below, i looked at this file again and it is local as it should be ---I'm bewildered.
```

1-- FILE ACCOUNT VERSION 2510 (bUILD 19328.20494)

2-- folder is on my c: drive (much faster than shared in a cloud)

3-- other users: don't know

4-- my properties menu does not show BLOCKED or not. I see lots of references to this as a solution - why do i not have this option?? ==========

2)- 3 settings under trust center

tried this before -- did not help
```  I even tried "disable w notificaiton" hoping for the usual and this didn't work either

  settings are now as you recommended

3)- I set protected view as recommended but still got the same msg "Because of your security settings..."

BLOCK SETTINGS: only Excel 4 and earlier were ticked. I cleared them all

saved and closed all excel files

reopened my xlsm file and it WORKED!   THANKYOU

==> NOW, I may be wide open...do you recommend working backward undoing these relaxation changes until it stops working?

I noticed that even my desktop is linked to my employer's cloud: the file location is

           C:\Users\DavidFournier\OneDrive - Exida\Desktop


Looking forward to more info...

Jade Ng 6,060 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-26T10:03:17.97+00:00

Dear @David Fournier,

Thank you for your response!

In this section, I apologize as in my role as moderator, I am unable to access the system and therefore cannot confirm whether this approach is appropriate. In this case, for a more thorough review, I recommend raising a support ticket. This is an advanced matter that requires one-on-one assistance from an expert to ensure security and data integrity.

I sincerely recommend you try to create a new support ticket from Microsoft 365 Admin Center>Support>New Service Request. You can raise support ticket from: https://admin.microsoft.com/#/support/requests

The support team over there has higher permission than us to investigate the issue from background, they have more resource and correct escalation channel in handling this kind of issues. This would be a more efficient way in handling the case for you.

For reference:  Get support | Microsoft Docs      *
*If you’re unsure who the Global Admin is within your organization, you can find guidance on locating them here: How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin?

I appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

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I cannot get excel VBA macros to run since 9AM ET today 25.11.24.

2 answers

Your answer