How to Edit Macro Settings in Microsoft Office

October 29, 2025 •

3 min read

The default macro security setting in Microsoft Office is to disable all macros with notification, a measure designed to protect users from potential security threats. To automate tasks or use specific templates, you need to know how to edit macro settings safely and effectively.

Quick Summary

Access and change Microsoft Office macro permissions by enabling the Developer tab, navigating to the Trust Center, and selecting your desired security level. Manage trusted file locations to ensure safe execution.

Key Points

Enable the Developer Tab: Before editing settings, you must enable the Developer tab via File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
Access the Trust Center: Macro security is managed in the Trust Center, accessible from the Developer tab or File > Options.
Understand Security Levels: Learn the four main macro security options to choose the right balance between functionality and safety.
Use Trusted Locations: For frequently used files with macros from a safe source, designate their storage folder as a trusted location.
Edit Macro Code: Use the Visual Basic Editor (VBE), accessible by pressing Alt+F11 or via the Macros dialog, to modify macro code.
Beware of 'Enable All': The 'Enable all macros' setting is highly dangerous and should only be used temporarily and with extreme caution.
Default is Safest: The recommended default setting, 'Disable all macros with notification', provides the best protection for most users.

Microsoft Office macros are a powerful tool for automating repetitive tasks across applications like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. However, because they can execute a series of commands, macros also represent a potential security risk if they contain malicious code. The key to leveraging their power without compromising your system lies in understanding and knowing how to edit macro settings.

How to Enable the Developer Tab

Before you can access and change macro security settings, you must enable the Developer tab in the Office ribbon. This tab contains the tools needed for recording, running, and editing macros.

Step 1: Open any Microsoft Office application (e.g., Excel or Word).
Step 2: Click the File tab, and then select Options.
Step 3: In the dialog box that appears, click Customize Ribbon in the left panel.
Step 4: On the right-hand side, under Customize the Ribbon, check the box next to Developer.
Step 5: Click OK to save your changes. The Developer tab will now appear on your ribbon.

Navigating to the Trust Center

The Trust Center is the central hub for all security and privacy settings in Microsoft Office. This is where you will adjust the macro-specific security options.

From the Developer tab, locate the Code group and click Macro Security. Alternatively, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings.
In the Trust Center dialog box, select Macro Settings from the left-hand menu.

Understanding Macro Security Settings

The Macro Settings window presents four main options, each with different implications for security and functionality:

Disable all macros without notification

This is the most secure option, disabling all macros and related security alerts.

Disable all macros with notification (Recommended Default)

This setting, the default, disables macros but alerts you when a document contains one, allowing you to enable them for trusted files.

Disable all macros except digitally signed macros

This option allows macros with a digital signature from a trusted publisher to run, while notifying you about others.

Enable all macros (Dangerous and Not Recommended)

This option runs all macros without alerts, making your system vulnerable and is strongly not recommended for general use.

Using Trusted Locations

Setting up trusted locations allows files stored in those folders to have their macros enabled automatically, bypassing security warnings for known safe sources. You can add new trusted locations and choose to include subfolders within the Trust Center settings.

Editing Macro Code with the Visual Basic Editor

To directly modify a macro's code, use the Visual Basic Editor (VBE). Access it by clicking Macros on the Developer tab, selecting the macro, and clicking Edit. The VBE will open, providing an interface to change the code.

Macro Security Level Comparison Table


Security Level	Security Risk	User Interaction
Disable all without notification	Very Low	None; all macros are silently disabled.
Disable all with notification	Moderate	Alerts appear for macros; user decides whether to enable.
Disable all except digitally signed	Low	Signed macros run automatically; alerts for unsigned ones.
Enable all macros	High	None; all macros run automatically without warning.

Conclusion

Understanding how to edit macro settings is crucial for balancing functionality and security. The default 'Disable with notification' setting offers a safe and practical approach for most users. For specialized needs, such as using macros from a trusted source, configuring a trusted location provides convenience without compromising security. Always exercise caution, and never enable macros from an untrusted source. For comprehensive information on macro security from the source, consult the official Microsoft Support documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The default setting is 'Disable all macros with notification,' which blocks macros by default but displays an alert allowing you to enable them for documents you know are safe.

When you open a file containing macros, a yellow security warning bar will appear. Click 'Enable Content' on this bar to enable macros for that file for the current session.

No, this is not recommended as it makes your computer vulnerable to potentially malicious code. It should only be used temporarily in a highly controlled testing environment.

A trusted location is a folder you designate as safe. Any files opened from this location will have their macros automatically enabled without triggering a security warning.

You can access the Visual Basic Editor by either pressing Alt+F11 or by clicking the Macros button on the Developer tab, selecting the macro, and clicking Edit.

Yes, macro settings are managed per-application. A change in Excel's Trust Center will not affect the settings in Word or PowerPoint.

A digitally signed macro has a digital signature from a trusted publisher. If you have chosen to trust that publisher, their macros will run without notification.