Enabling Macros

Question

Enabling Macros

Patrick Cox 20

I have downloaded a spreadsheet from the UK gov site. It's on this site:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/graduated-fee-calculators

I have downloaded the "LGFS calculator 20% VAT (September 2022)"

It has macros enabled. I am on Windows Pro 11. I have followed the two suggestions by Microsoft to allow the spreadsheet to work (separately and together) - unblocking and then treating UK gov as a trusted site.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/a-potentially-dangerous-macro-has-been-blocked-0952faa0-37e7-4316-b61d-5b5ed6024216

However, although that enables it to work to some extent - as I can change cells B14, B15, B16 - I am still not able to change the dropdown boxes - B11, B12 and B13.

I have this spreadsheet working fine on a computer on which I have Windows 10 but it would appear that Microsoft have "improved" Windows 11 - by making it less functional.

Anyway, anybody have any idea how I can fix it?

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Answer 1

Hi @James Patrick Cox

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

I understand the dropdown menus in your LGFS calculator spreadsheet aren't working on Windows 11, even after you correctly followed the steps to unblock the file and trust its source.

The steps you've taken are correct for enabling macros, but recent Microsoft 365 security updates have also changed how other components, like the ActiveX controls used for dropdown menus, are handled for files from the internet. I have a workaround that should solve this completely. The solution is to place the file in a Trusted Location on your local computer's hard drive. Here is how to do it:

Create and Set a Trusted Location: Create a new, dedicated folder on your C: drive. For example: C:\TrustedExcelFiles > Move the File 'LGFS calculator 20%VAT (September 2022) > spreadsheet from your Downloads folder into the new trusted folder you created (C:\TrustedExcelFiles) or Save as/ Save a copy to C:\TrustedExcelFiles

User's image

Now, open the calculator spreadsheet from its new location.

I have tested this method with the same file, and after moving it to a Trusted Location, the dropdown menus become fully functional and editable. User's image

For your information, this issue is often caused by the fact that ActiveX controls are disabled by default in Microsoft 365 for files downloaded from the internet, which is separate from the macro blocking. Placing the file in a Trusted Location overrides this restriction. You can read more about this at the following link from Microsoft: ActiveX disabled by default in Microsoft 365

Please give those troubleshooting steps a try. If the issue persists, please feel free to provide us with any additional details. Thank you for your understanding.

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Patrick Cox 20 Reputation points

2025-07-07T10:59:02.99+00:00

Thank you for this. However, you did not explain how to create a trusted location. So, I have followed the guidance online to do so. I created a folder and in Excel, added that folder to the "Trust Centre" Trusted locations, saved the file into that location -and it still doesn't work - i.e. the dropdown menus don't work.
Michelle-N 9,085 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-07T11:37:40.3666667+00:00

Hi @Patrick Cox

My apologies, I realize my previous instructions were missing a key step for adding the folder to your Trusted Locations. Here is the corrected workflow:

Go to File tab > Options > Trust Center > click the Trust Center Settings > Click on Trusted Locations > Add new location > Browse > Navigate to and select the folder you created earlier (e.g., C:\Trusted) > Click OK > Please tick "Subfolders of this location are also trusted" After you create the Trusted Location in the Trust Center, please use Save As or Save a Copy to save the spreadsheet directly into that new trusted folder.

Then, close the current Excel file. Go to the trusted folder where you just saved the copy and open it from there to begin editing. Howver, please make sure your settings are as shown in the image below:

This worked correctly in my test environment. Could you please try the process again by adding the new folder to your Trusted Locations and then following the initial steps I mentioned? Please let me know if that resolves the issue.
Patrick Cox 20 Reputation points

2025-07-07T12:41:32.15+00:00

Thank you Michelle. It still isn't working. I don't have time now but I am going to retry tomorrow by restarting computer and see if that works, will let you know.

Answer 2

Patrick Cox 20

Hello Michelle,

I have tried this again. I have used the settings you have referred to. I have saved it into a Trusted Location. But the dropdown menus still won't work!

Regards

Patrick

Patrick Cox 20 Reputation points

2025-07-08T10:08:14.4133333+00:00

Hello Michelle,

I have got it to work! I did this by following the procedure referred to in the article about Active X being disabled. In your response you said that putting the spreadsheet automatically overrode Active X being disabled. It turns out that it doesn't automatically override Active X - that has to be done manually.

However, you did point me in the right direction so thank you very much for your assistance.

Regards

Patrick
Michelle-N 9,085 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-08T10:17:35.8766667+00:00

Hi @Patrick Cox

That's wonderful that you were able to solve this issue. If you found my answer to be at least partially helpful, I hope you will consider marking the response as an answer. This helps others with similar issues find the solution more easily.

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Enabling Macros

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