Microsoft Has Blocked Macros from Running Error in Excel: How to Fix It

Many users open spreadsheet files to perform certain tasks and calculations, but suddenly see a message saying macros have been blocked. This happens when the system tries to save you from risky content in the files that were downloaded from the internet. Since these files don't always contain risky or dangerous elements, the disabled macros can needlessly prevent you from performing certain tasks on the files.

Therefore, this article will explain what the “Microsoft has blocked macros from running”  error is and why it occurs. In addition to that, we will introduce the best solutions to resolve this error in your workbooks to ensure proper accessibility and editing. As a bonus, you will learn about useful repair software to fix damaged workbooks.

Part 1. What the 'Microsoft Has Blocked Macros from Running' Error in Excel Is?

This error message appears when you open a downloaded file that includes macros, but the system blocks them for safety. Macros are small codes that automate tasks and can be risky if they come from unknown sources. Consequently, when the program sees a file from the internet, it stops the macros from working to protect the system.

When Microsoft has blocked macros, you will not be able to automate repetitive tasks and perform calculations on the workbook data. You will need to either mark the spreadsheet as safe or adjust where and how it is opened to resolve this error.

Part 2.Quick Solutions to Unblock Macros in Excel

With the above information, it is clear that this error occurs as a security response against unknown files to protect your system. There are some quick and easy ways to resolve this error and enable your macros, which are discussed below:

Method 1. Unblock the File via Properties

As said above, the downloaded spreadsheet that comes from unknown internet sources automatically gets a digital mark that blocks its content. So, the right solution in this case is to unblock the file through its properties and tell the system it is safe to open. You can apply this quick solution to resolve the “security risk Microsoft has blocked macros” error by following the detailed steps given below:

Step 1. Reach the downloaded spreadsheet on your device’s storage and right-click on it. Next, you need to select the “Properties” option to make changes to the sheet’s security settings.

Step 2. Here, you have to check the “Unblock” option in the “Security” section and press “Apply” to finalize the changes.

Method 2. Modify Macro Settings in the Trust Center

The workbook program comes with a dedicated Trust Center, where safety rules for macros are managed. Hence, you can access this section and choose how strict or open your macro settings should be. Yet, this solution is helpful when you regularly access and open files that are downloaded from trusted online sources. Go through these instructions to resolve the issue of Excel Microsoft has blocked macros from running:

Step 1. Open this spreadsheet software and press the “File” button from the menu ribbon.

Step 2. Then, press the “Options” button from the left panel to access the settings screen.

Step 3. After the "Excel Options" window opens, go to the section called "Trust Center." Next, click the button that says "Trust Center Settings" and then "OK" to proceed.

Step 4. On the new screen, go to the “Macro Settings” tab and select "Enable All Macros (Not Recommended; Potentially Dangerous Code Can Run).” In the end, hit the “OK” button and restart this workbook program.

Method 3. Add Trusted Locations

Instead of changing the settings for all the files, you can mark a specific folder as trusted. Consequently, files stored in this folder will be opened without blocking macros, while the security setting will apply to other files. The tutorial given below elaborates on how to do so when Microsoft has blocked macros from running:

Step 1. Once again, use the “Trust Center Settings” button through the “Options” menu and reach the new screen. Here, head to the “Trusted Locations” tab and press the “Add New Location” button.

Step 2. Use the “Browse" button from the pop-up and select the desired folder from your device's storage. Upon choosing the folder, click the "OK” button to add it as an exception from the security settings.

Method 4. Enable Macros for Specific Documents

Many times, you only want macros to run in one or two specific files due to security concerns. So, this method helps you allow macros only for those files without changing settings for any other documents. This method also helps you grab the content right away from a warning you see when the file opens. Here is how you can get Microsoft has blocked macros in only specific spreadsheets:

Instructions. Open the workbook in which you are facing the issue and head to the “File” tab from the top ribbon. Here, access the “Info” tab and hit the “Enable Content” button in the “Security Warning” tab. Afterward, select the “Enable All Content” option to solve the macros issue.

Method 5. Repair Your MS Office

When the above solutions fail and Excel Microsoft has blocked macros from running, there might be an issue with the program. Many times, errors in the software can prevent macros from running, even when you open files that are marked safe. Since the repair option comes built-in, you can go through the following process to apply this solution:

Step 1. In your settings, move to the "Apps" tab and then access the "Installed Apps" option. Here, you need to locate the "Microsoft Office” setup and press the “Three Dots” beside it. Then, use the “Modify” button to continue with its repair process.

Step 2. Here, enable the “Quick Repair” option and use the “Repair” button. In the end, use the “Repair” button from the confirmation pop-up to begin the process.

Pro Tip. Got Damaged Excel Files? Uncover the Best Excel Repair Tool

Many times, the issue lies with the workbooks rather than the spreadsheet program. In other cases, the Office repair process also damages the files and makes them inaccessible. Hence, you will need help from Repairit to solve this issue and make your Excel sheets accessible with all the macros enabled. The advanced software repairs the damaged sections of the file without changing any information on the sheets.

As a result, your pivot tables and formulas remain unchanged in the repaired file. This robust tool retains data integrity even when you repair multiple files with its batch repair feature. Users can access the tool’s repair features to restore data from the sheets that were created in the older versions of Excel. Its online version also enables users to resolve the issues with their sheets when Microsoft has blocked macros.

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Step-by-Step Manual to Fix Damaged Excel Files via Repairit

After applying the above solutions for the “Microsoft has blocked macros from running” error, follow these steps to repair the file if it gets damaged:

Step 1. Launch the repair software on your PC and head to the “More Types Repair” tab. Afterward, press the “Start” button under the “File Repair” feature to proceed.

Step 2. Add the damaged workbooks

Step 3. Save the repaired excel sheets

Conclusion

To conclude, macros help automate tasks and save time, but security settings can stop them from working. So, this guide showed simple ways to fix the “Microsoft has blocked macros from running” issue without needing deep knowledge.

You can use the various settings in the Trust Center or repair the Office program to solve the issue. Additionally, using Repairit is highly recommended to fix your workbooks when they get damaged.