Unblocking Excel Spreadsheets With Macros

Issue

Microsoft blocks Excel spreadsheets with Excel Macros. Sometimes after clicking "Enable Content", it results in a pink banner that says, "SECURITY RISK Microsoft has blocked macros from running because the source of this file is untrusted."

After clicking "Enable Content" in an Excel spreadsheet, it results in a pink banner that says, "SECURITY RISK Microsoft has blocked macros from running because the source of this file is untrusted."

Environment

Microsoft Office 365 Excel (tested on versions 2207, 2208, 2209)

Cause

VBA macros are a common way for malicious actors to gain access to deploy malware and ransomware. Therefore, to help improve security in Office, Microsoft has changed the default behavior of Office applications to block macros in files from the internet.

For Microsoft's documentation on the matter, please click the following link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/DeployOffice/security/internet-macros-blocked

Resolution

1. Navigate to the downloaded spreadsheet in File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the file.
3. Click on Properties.
4. Check "Unblock" and click "Apply."
   (Under the General Tab, at the bottom there should be a check box next to "Unblock" under "Security: This file came from another computer and be blocked to help protect this computer.")
5. Close the Properties window.
6. Open the spreadsheet.
7. Click the "Enable Content" button on the yellow banner.
8. Click "Yes" on the prompt, "Do you want the report be formatted?"

External resources

• Microsoft Documentation: "Macros from the internet are blocked"
• Microsoft Documentation: "A potentially dangerous macro has been blocked"