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Excel Macros Disappeared, XLStart Folder missing

Anonymous
2020-06-22T16:14:37+00:00

Hello and thanks for the help.

I am using Windows 10, Microsoft Excel for Microsoft 365 MSO {16.0.12827.20328} 64 bit. I have a very large Excel, Macro Enabled (.xlsm) Excel file with over a 1,000 small macros recorded. The macros have been created/stored in Excel in the workbook they are to be used in. I have been working on this file for about 2 months and have never had this problem. Most of the macros are to sort or to go to a specific cell. I recorded most of them using the Developer Ribbon, although I wrote a few. They were all working properly.

I was successfully working in the .xlsm file - it was running slow but everything was running fine, I saved 2 copies of the file on my desktop and 2 copies on my OneDrive. When I saved the files, the macros were working just fine and were available. I shut down my computer. I booted up my computer about 8 hours later and opened one of the OneDrive files inside the OneDrive, then closed it and opened it in Excel. I clicked the button to Enable Macros when the file opened. I shut down and rebooted after I discovered the problem. It did not fix anything.

I discovered one of the macros did not work and when I looked in the macros dialog (Developer Tab -> Macros) box it is completely empty. I checked in all of the 4 saved files and in all of the files the Macro dialog box window is completely empty. I tried every choice at the bottom of the macros dialog box, Macros in:  All open workbooks, this workbook, and the file name that was listed for the open file. All empty.

I can record new macros, but nothing from the past is visible.  When researching this I read about finding the XLStart Folder and when I search for this in my File Explorer nothing shows up. I followed the path:  C:Users/MyUserName/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Excel and the only things there are: BloomFilter folder, CatalogCacheMetaData.xml and a Metadata file. Nothing else.

I am thankful for all of the help I can receive.

A bit of history:  About 3 days ago I had some problems with Excel so I used the Repair Option and downloaded from the internet to repair. Yesterday I realized the version I was using was the 32-bit so I downloaded the 64-bit version. All files worked just fine after downloading the 64-bit version. I rebooted after installing the 64-bit version and all macros were there and were working just fine for the entire day.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-06-25T20:58:14+00:00

    Hi Sheri Tingle,

    Thanks for posting back, I notice the Excel file opens fine in safe mode, may I confirm whether all macros work in safe mode? If everything goes well, there might be some add-ins cause the issue, we suggest you disable add-ins one by one and check the cause of the problem.

    See Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC

    Please have a check when you are free.

    Best regards,

    Gloria

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-24T21:37:26+00:00

    Hi Sheri Tingle,

    May I know you try the above suggestions? Please post back if you still need assistance.

    Wish you a nice day!

    Best regards,

    Gloria

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-26T07:15:51+00:00

    Hi Gloria - there were no macros available in safe mode. I have disabled all add-ins because I have find them to be more annoying than helpful. So I do not have add-ins running.

    I think the trouble is simply a corrupt file.

    Thank you so much for your help. Have a blessed day! Sheri

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-25T01:03:25+00:00

    Hello Gloria - I’m sorry for the delay…too many projects going on at once. Thank you for the help.

    The scenario you restated is almost accurate. In this file it is not just one macro that does not work, NO MACROS work and no macros are found in the macros dialog box, the list is empty. Also, when I right click on the sheet tab and select View Code the VBA app opens but all of the windows are empty.

    Doing research for what could be wrong I read about the XLStart folder. I have looked for the XLStart folder but cannot find it on my computer. Therefore, I think the folder is missing.

    I opened Excel in safe mode and found nothing wrong, everything opened just fine. I did not know if there was something additional I should do in safe mode beyond simply opening the app.

    I tried opening the file in both of my accounts with the same negative result. I had emailed this file to another person and the copy he received still contains all of the macros. When he opens the file all of the macros are available and work correctly. He saved the file with a new name, sent it to me and when I open the file the macros are no longer there.

    I looked in the One Drive and there are no previous versions of the file.

    A copy of the file from a few days earlier with the same macros in it works correctly. When this earlier file is opened the macros are all there and seem to work.

    The Excel account page says that it is “Subscription product Microsoft 365 for enterprise”

    I hope that answers all of your questions. Again, I appreciate all of your help. To sum it up, I still can’t open the file I need and use any macros, they are all gone.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-06-22T19:48:55+00:00

    Hi Sheri Tingle,

    Thanks for providing the issue in our community. Per your description, you have a large Excel with multiple macros but now one of the macros did not work and XLStart Folder missing, you’ve saved 2 copies files in Desktop and 2 copies in OneDrive, I notice that you open the file in OneDrive and then open it in app but this specific macro is completely empty with the 4 saved files. (If I misunderstand your scenario, please point out.)

    Given the situation, it seems that this specific macro in your file is corrupted or missing, to narrow down your issue, could you please open your Excel in safe mode to identify an add-in or extension that may be causing a problem on startup.

    If it’s convenient, could you please go to OneDrive and restore a previous version of this file.

    Meanwhile, try to use a new user profile to see if the issue relates to your old account.

    If the issue still persists, could you please provide the following information with us to better investigate your issue?

    1. Does the issue happen on all files or a specific file? Please check the other files with the macro and see the outcome.
    2. What’s your Excel version? Please open your Excel application> click File> Account> capture the screenshot of “Product Information” page with us.
    3. Did you get any error? If yes, please capture the screenshot with us.
    4. May I know do other users have this same file? Do they have the same issue?

    Any updates are welcomed to post back, we will further investigate it.

    Best regards,

    Gloria

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