Excel 2010 Macro Security Restrictions

 

Microsoft changed the default security settings to prevent macros from running after some well-publicized viruses used VBA macros as their delivery method. Therefore, you need to know how to adjust the default settings before discussing the recording of a macro. In Excel 2010, by saving workbooks in a trusted location, you can either globally adjust the security settings or control macro settings for certain workbooks. Any workbooks stored in a folder that is marked as a trusted location will automatically have its macros enabled. Find the macro security settings under the Macro Security icon on the Developer tab. Click this icon to display the Macro Settings category of the Trust Center. Use the left navigation bar in the dialog to access the Trusted Locations list.

You can choose to store your macro workbooks in a folder that is marked as a trusted location. Any workbook stored in a trusted folder will have its macros enabled. Microsoft suggests that a trusted location should be on your hard drive. The default setting is that you cannot trust a location on a network drive.

 

To specify a trusted location:

  1. Click Macro Security in the Developer tab.

  2. In the left navigation pane of the Trust Center, click Trusted Locations.

  3. If you want to trust a location on a network drive, select Allow Trusted Locations on My Network.

  4. Click the Add New Location button to prompt the Microsoft Office Trusted Locations dialog.

  5. Click the Browse button to display the Browse dialog.

  6. Browse to the parent folder of the folder you want to be a trusted location. Click the trusted folder. Although the folder name does not appear in the Folder Name box, click OK. The correct folder name will appear in the Browse dialog.

  7. If you want to trust subfolders of the selected folder, select Subfolders of This Location Will Be Trusted.

  8. Click OK to add the folder to the Trusted Locations list.