Opening a file with macros from an email or website triggers the message, "Microsoft has blocked macros from running."

File Security with Enhanced Macros

The message "Microsoft has blocked macros from running" typically appears because Excel's security settings block potentially harmful code. Here are the main reasons why this happens:

1. Security Settings: Microsoft Excel defaults to blocking macros unless the user explicitly enables them. This setting protects your computer from malicious code that might be embedded in macros.
2. Macro Security Levels: Excel allows users to set different levels of macro security:
   • Disable all macros without notification: This setting blocks all macros and does not notify you when it disables them.
   • Disable all macros with notification: This is usually the default setting, which blocks macros but alerts you with a notification.
   • Disable all macros except digitally signed macros: Only macros digitally signed by a trusted publisher are allowed to run.
   • Enable all macros: This setting allows all macros to run. This can make your computer vulnerable to potentially malicious macros.
3. Trust Center Settings: Excel may block macros from untrusted sources as a precaution. This is to prevent any potentially harmful macros from running automatically.
4. File Origin: Files from the internet or unknown emails open in Protected View, disabling macros for safety.
5. Unsigned Macros: If a trusted publisher does not digitally sign a macro, Excel may block it, depending on the security settings.

Unblock macros from running

To allow macros to run, you must change a setting in the file properties

1. In File Explorer, select your file containing macros
2. Right-click
3. And click Show more options

4. Then Properties (the last option in the menu)

5. And finally, in the General tab, click on the Unblock option

Macro project

For instance, you need to activate this trick to use the following calendar that records your data.