How to Change the Macro Security Setting in Excel


The Excel eForms contain macros which need to be enabled. Typically when opening a new eForm, a message box will ask you if you want to enable or disable the macros—select Enable.

Excel 2000 and higher versions of Excel have the default macro setting set to High, which automatically disables the macros. You need to change this setting to Medium. After you have made the change, Excel will prompt you to enable or disable macros each time you open a workbook. To change the settings, perform one of the following actions listed below.


Excel 2000

To set the macro security level to Medium, which only needs to be done once, follow these steps:

  1. Start Excel.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Macro and click Security.
  3. In the Security dialog box, click the Security Level tab.
  4. Click Medium and then click OK.
  5. Save your work and then close Excel. (The security-level changes will not take effect until Excel is restarted.)
  6. (Re)Open the Option B form from the desktop. When prompted whether to enable or disable macros, click Enable Macros.
Return to Option B instructions.

Excel 2002

To set the macro security level to Medium, which only needs to be done once, follow these steps:

  1. Start Excel.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  3. Click on the Security tab (upper right hand corner).
  4. In the Security dialog box, click the Macro Security button.
  5. Click Medium and then click OK.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Save your work and then close Excel. (The security-level changes will not take effect until Excel is restarted.)
  8. (Re)Open the Option B form from the desktop. When prompted whether to enable or disable macros, click Enable Macros.
Return to Option B instructions.