How to Enable Macros in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is by far the most famous spreadsheet creation application. Now, Excel files look pretty innocuous, with rows and columns filled with data, but experienced Excel users know that the application has some very powerful tools that can perform some extremely advanced functions. One way to do this is to enable macros in Excel to reduce manual data entry and let Excel do what it does best. In this guide, we’ll tell you what macros are, how to enable them in Microsoft Excel, and how to use them to enhance your workflow.

What are macros in Microsoft Excel

Before we tell you how to enable macros, it’s important to understand what macros are in Microsoft Excel. Simply put, macros allow you to automate repetitive tasks, such as calculating the sum of a student’s scores in different subjects. For example, you have a spreadsheet that contains a list of students with their scores in different subjects. Now, instead of calculating the total score for each student one by one, you can record a macro by performing a task on one student and then simply run the macro to easily automate the same action with other students.

Security Risks of Running Macros

Of course, macros are indeed useful and they make our lives easier by automating repetitive tasks, but there are huge security risks when running macros from unverified sources. While it should be absolutely fine to run macros that you create yourself, the same cannot be said for macros that you download online. You should know that malicious macros can even delete important files stored on your computer. There are always security risks involved when you turn on the Enable all macros setting. This is why it is always recommended to enable macros when needed, and naturally they should be disabled when not in use.

How to enable macros in Microsoft Excel

Now, let us learn how to enable macros in Microsoft Excel. Please follow the steps below.

1. Considering that you have already created the spreadsheet on Excel, click document and go to Options.
2. Click Customize the ribbon and under the main tab, check Developer. Do this and the Developer tab will appear on the home screen.
3. So once you’re done, click trust center > Trust center settings > Macro settings. This is where you select the fourth option, Enable all macros Always lets you run macros. However, make sure that whenever you don’t need to use macros, you choose the second option: Disable all macros and send notifications.
4. Now, go back to the home page and click Developer.
5. After that you click Record macro > Enter macro Name > Enter its shortcut key > Select where you want to store the macro, either in the current workbook or as a universal macro in a personal workbook > Click OK.
6. Next, you can start recording commands. When finished, click Stop recording.
7. Likewise, if you are using MS Excel on Mac, you need to repeat the same steps mentioned earlier. Additionally, the benefit of enabling macros when using Excel on Mac is that the Developer tab already exists in the top toolbar. Unlike Windows 10, you don’t need to dig into the settings and specifically enable it.
8. So now, whenever you run a macro by pressing the designated shortcut key while working on your spreadsheet, the same task you recorded earlier will be performed. You can do this as many times as needed.
9. To check all stored macros you have to click Macro. Once you do this, you can access many other settings related to the macro, such as Edit, Delete, Run, etc.
10. Additionally, for quick access to the macro’s security settings, click macro security As we recommend, once you’re done using macros, check out the second option.

This is how to enable macros in Microsoft Excel. What are your favorite macros? Let us know in the comments.

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