Why is an Excel workbook not added as a trusted document when it is stored in OneDrive folder?

Question

Why is an Excel workbook not added as a trusted document when it is stored in OneDrive folder?

SLax 20

I have an Excel macro enabled file 'Workbook1.xlsm' stored in a folder in the 'OneDrive - Personal' location of my computer. When I access the file, I am presented with the security warning 'Macros have been disabled.' When I select the 'Enable Content' button, the security warning goes away and I can use the macros in the workbook. But, the workbook does not get added as a trusted document. Consequently, when I close and reopen the workbook, I am once again presented with the 'Macros have been disabled' security warning. It appears that the issue has something to do with the workbook being stored in the 'OneDrive - Personal' location. If I move the same file to a folder in the 'This PC' location of my computer, and go through the same process of clicking the 'Enable Content' button, the workbook will get added as a trusted document. When I close and reopen the workbook in the 'This PC' location, macros are automatically enabled. I am no longer presented with the 'Macros have been disabled' security warning. How can I get macro enabled workbooks stored in the 'OneDrive - Personal' location to work the same way as those stored in the 'This PC' location?

Note: I have already reviewed the Q&A Assist answer to my question. The file stored in the 'OneDrive - Personal' location does not have the "Mark of the Web".

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Answer 1

Michelle-N 1,940 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @SLax

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum.

I understand that macro-enabled Excel files saved in your 'OneDrive - Personal' folder do not become trusted documents after you enable content, forcing you to re-enable macros every time you open them. However, the same files function as expected and are recognized as trusted documents when saved in a local folder on 'This PC'. As a forum moderator, my role is to help guide discussions and share information based on Microsoft documentation and community knowledge. From my research, Microsoft recently announced that macros from the internet are blocked by default in Office. Therefore, it is very likely that this is leading to the trouble you are having.

Macros from the internet are blocked by default in Office - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn

To get your OneDrive files to work the same way as your local files, you need to explicitly tell Excel that you trust your OneDrive folder. You can do this by adding your local OneDrive folder path to Excel's Trusted Locations. If you need to use files from OneDrive or SharePoint without macros being blocked, here are some possible options:

-Have them open the file by using the Open in Desktop App option

-Have them download the file to a and Add, remove, or change a trusted location in Microsoft Office - Microsoft Support

User's image

Trusted Locations for Office files - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn

To unblock macros in a file, like one from the internet or an email attachment, remove the Mark of the Web on your local device. To remove, right-click on the file, choose Properties, and then select the Unblock checkbox on the General tab.

User's image I hope this information can help you to solve your issue soon. If the issue persists, please feel free to send me more information

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SLax 20 Reputation points

2025-07-01T14:44:15.4166667+00:00
Hello Michelle-N,

Thank you for your answer.

I have attempted your solution. Unfortunately, it did not resolve my problem. I still get the 'Macros have been disabled' security warning and am required to click the 'Enable Content' button to enable macros in my workbook. Below is what I did to apply your solution:

I determined the folder in which my macro enabled workbook resides. See screenshot below.

I verified that the macro enabled workbook does not have the 'Mark of the Web' attribute. See screenshot below.

I opened Excel and added the 'OneDrive - Personal' folder to the Trust Center 'Trusted Locations' list. See screenshot below.

I closed Excel.

I opened the macro enabled workbook 'Workbook1.xlsm' in Excel by double-clicking its icon in File Explorer. Below is a screenshot.

I am confused why the Trust Center is dealing with my 'OneDrive - Personal' folder differently than my 'This PC' folder. Both locations reside on my computer's hard drive. The only difference is that the OneDrive location is synchronized with my OneDrive repository in the cloud. There is nothing to prevent me from moving a macro enabled workbook file from my 'OneDrive - Personal' folder to my 'This PC' folder. Beyond finding a solution to my problem, I would really like to understand why the Trust Center is handling things the way it is. Knowing why will give me more insight into the threats I face and how best to thwart them.

I am grateful for your assistance. Thank you.

Regards, Steve
Michelle-N 1,940 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-07T14:55:26.8633333+00:00
Hi @SLax

Thank you for your updating

To help figure this out, could you tell me a couple of things?

For the files you're opening from the OneDrive folder, are you the owner or are you just an editor (meaning someone else shared them with you)?

Also, what web link do you use to sign in to OneDrive?

Regarding the difference you noted: Opening a file from a standard folder on 'This PC' works without errors because you have synced the file to your local computer. It is treated by the system as a local file that you trust.

However, opening it from the OneDrive folder is different, even though the file is also on your computer. This is because the Trust Center sees the entire OneDrive folder as an "Internet Zone". It assumes any file within it could have come from the web (e.g., synced from another device or shared by someone else) and therefore poses a higher security risk. This is why it blocks macros and other content by default.
SLax 20 Reputation points

2025-07-08T13:39:04.6466667+00:00
Hi @Michelle-N,

Answers to your questions:

This is my own personal computer. Therefore, I am the sole owner of the OneDrive folder and its contents.

I do not sign into OneDrive. Any required authentication must occur when I log into windows.

Another aspect of this problem is the lack of warnings. There is no warning that the file will not be added as a trusted document, it simply does not occur. If the Trust Center does see the OneDrive folder as the "Internet Zone", why is the file not opened in protected view?

Thank you for your help.

Regards, SLax
Michelle-N 1,940 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-09T07:40:17.0333333+00:00

Hi @SLax

I think I've figured out the problem. It seems that even with a trusted location, you still need to re-enable macros on reopen. The issue is likely because ActiveX was disabled by default at the start of 2025, so it needs to be turned on manually. The problem probably lies with all files from online sources, not just the ones from OneDrive.

You can read more about this at the following link from Microsoft: ActiveX disabled by default in Microsoft 365
SLax 20 Reputation points

2025-07-10T15:06:58.5766667+00:00

Hi @Michelle-N,

I read the information in the link you provided titled "ActiveX disabled by default in Microsoft 365". I do not believe this is the reason macro enable workbooks associated with my personal OneDrive are prevented from becoming trusted documents. I performed a simple experiment. I created a new macro enabled workbook with a single call to MsgBox in the ThisWorkbook Workbook_Open() event. The workbook contains no Active-X controls. This workbook is still prevented from becoming a trusted document. In addition, the warning produced is:

Rather than:

Thank you for your continued effort.

Regards, SLax
Michelle-N 1,940 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-11T15:01:26.72+00:00

Hi @SLax

Please allow me some time to investigate and test this thoroughly. I will let you know my findings as soon as they are available

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Why is an Excel workbook not added as a trusted document when it is stored in OneDrive folder?

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