Multi Replace macro is now blocked

Question

I've had a macro on my MS Word for several years that allows me to replace a word across multiple documents (within one folder) at once. Suddenly today I get a message saying the macro is blocked. I went to the trust center and authorized all macros but it still won't open. Help!

Answer 1

Dear @Kenneth Kirk,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft 365 Q&A forum community. The message you’re seeing (“Macro is blocked”) is due to recent Microsoft security changes that block macros from files originating from untrusted sources, even if “Enable all macros” is selected in the Trust Center. This is designed to protect against malicious code. 

Please try the following steps: 

Step 1: Unblock the file 

• Close Word and locate the macro-enabled file in File Explorer. 
• Right-click the file > Properties > Under Security, check Unblock > Click Apply. 

For detailed instructions, please refer to Microsoft’s official guide: Macros from the internet are blocked by default in Office - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn  

Step 2: Add a trusted location 

• In Word, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Locations. 
• Click Add new location, then select the folder where your documents and macros are stored. 

For step by step, please refer to Microsoft’s official guide: Add, remove, or change a trusted location in Microsoft Office - Microsoft Support 

 

Step 3: Verify Macro settings 

• Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings. 
• Ensure the appropriate setting is selected (e.g., Enable all macros or disable all macros with notification). 

For detailed guidance, please refer to Microsoft’s official documentation: Enable or disable macros in Microsoft 365 files - Microsoft Support 

 

Step 4: Restart Word 

• After making these changes, restart Word and try running the macro again. 

If the problem persists, check to see if your organization has a policy that blocks macros from the internet. It's possible that in an organizational environment, Group Policy may override your settings. In that case, you may need to save the file to a trusted location or contact your IT administrator. 

I truly hope you understand that the initial steps I suggested may not have completely resolved the issue, as there might still be underlying causes, we haven't uncovered yet. Please know that I’m here with you every step of the way, ready to work together and do everything I can to help troubleshoot and find the best solution. 

Please let me know if you have any further questions or if the problem persists after trying these solutions.

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Answer 2

It sounds like the macro you were using is being blocked due to new security settings in Microsoft Office. By default, macros from the internet are blocked to protect users from potentially harmful content. Even if you have authorized all macros in the Trust Center, there are additional steps you may need to take to allow your macro to run, especially if the file is marked as coming from the internet.

Here are some steps you can take to unblock your macro:

1. Remove the Mark of the Web: Right-click on the file, select Properties, and check if there is an Unblock checkbox on the General tab. If it is available, check it and click OK.
2. Use PowerShell: You can also use the Unblock-File cmdlet in PowerShell to remove the ZoneId value from the file, which allows VBA macros to run by default.
3. Trusted Locations: If your macro is in a file located on a network share or a trusted website, you can designate that location as a Trusted site or add it to the Local intranet zone to prevent macros from being blocked.
4. Check Group Policy Settings: If you are in an organizational environment, ensure that Group Policy settings are not overriding your macro settings.

If you continue to experience issues, you may want to consult your IT department or refer to the Microsoft documentation for further guidance on managing macro settings.

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References:

• Guidance on allowing VBA macros to run in files you trust
• Steps to take to allow VBA macros to run in files that you trust