Microsoft has blocked macros, the source is untrusted.

Geoff MacPherson 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T18:58:34.28+00:00

Microsoft has blocked macros from running because the source of this file is untrusted.

This is happening to a couple of my excel programs and it is killing productivity.

any suggestions? I already followed their guidelines on how to unblock but none of them worked.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For business | Windows
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-05T18:58:42.7433333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    If Microsoft has blocked macros in your Excel programs because the source is untrusted, there are several steps you can take to allow macros to run:

    1. Unblock the File: Right-click on the Excel file, select Properties, and then check the Unblock checkbox on the General tab if it is available. This will remove the Mark of the Web from the file.
    2. Use PowerShell: If the Unblock option is not available, you can use PowerShell to unblock the file. Run the following command:
         Unblock-File -Path "C:\path\to\your\file.xlsx"
      
      Replace the path with the actual path to your file.
    3. Trusted Locations: Consider placing the file in a Trusted Location. You can designate a folder as a Trusted Location in Excel's Trust Center settings. Files in these locations will not be blocked.
    4. Change Security Zone: If the file is on a network share or a trusted website, you can add that location to the Trusted sites or Local intranet zone in your Internet Options settings. This will allow macros from those locations to run without being blocked.
    5. Open in Desktop App: If you are accessing the file from OneDrive or SharePoint, make sure to open it using the Open in Desktop App option, which can help avoid the Mark of the Web issue.

    If you've followed these steps and are still experiencing issues, it may be worth checking with your IT department to ensure there are no additional policies in place that could be affecting macro execution.


    References:

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  2. Killian-N 6,375 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-12-05T19:50:40.6866667+00:00

    Hi @Geoff MacPherson,

    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. 
      User's image

    2/ Unblock the file: 

    • Close the file. 
    • Right-click the file > Properties > check the box for Unblock > Apply and reopen the file. 

    User's image

    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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