How can I unblock Macros in an Excel file emailed to me?

Question

A vendor needs me to fill out their item template, and they emailed me a file. My system is blocking Macros. How do I unblock Macros in an Excel file?

Answer 1

To unblock macros in an Excel file that was emailed to you, you can follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the file: Locate the Excel file you received via email, right-click on it, and select Properties.
2. Unblock the file: In the Properties dialog, look for a checkbox labeled Unblock on the General tab. Check this box to remove the Mark of the Web that is blocking the macros.
3. Open the file: After unblocking, click OK to close the Properties dialog and then open the Excel file. The macros should now be enabled.

If you do not see the Unblock checkbox, you may need to use PowerShell to unblock the file using the Unblock-File cmdlet.

Additionally, if you want to ensure that macros run without being blocked in the future, consider saving the file to a Trusted Location or designating the sender's domain as a Trusted Site in your Internet Options.

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References:

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

Answer 2

Hi @Kim Parker,  

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.    

Thank you for reaching out regarding the issue with Macros in your Excel file.  

Macros are disabled by default in Excel to help protect your system from potential security risks. When a file is downloaded from the internet or received via email, it is often marked as “Untrusted,” which can block Macros from running. 

Here are my recommendations, which I hope will be helpful to you:       

1/ Enable content in Excel: 

• Open the file and look for a yellow security warning bar at the top. 
• If you see an “Enable Content” button, click it to allow Macros. 
• 

2/ Unblock the file: 

• Close the file. 
• Right-click the file → select Properties → check the box for Unblock → click Apply → reopen the file. 
• 

3/ Contact support 

If Macros are still blocked, it may be due to your organization’s security policy. Many companies disable Macros by default because they can contain scripts that pose security risks, such as malware or unauthorized actions. 

• Please contact your IT department to adjust the settings or grant access for this trusted file. 
• Alternatively, you can request a version of the file that does not use Macros. 

 

We kindly ask for your understanding that, as moderators, we do not have access to the administrative tools or permissions required to investigate or modify these configurations. We also do not have the capability to initiate remote sessions for direct assistance. Our role is to guide users to the appropriate resources and support channels. 

 

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, feel free to share them in the comments on this post so I can continue to assist you. 

 I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this. 

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