Macros disabled

[FJB]

I have a workbook with six worksheets, divided by work function. At a
weekly meeting we need to print the report. I recorded a simple macro
to print selected worksheets. Today when I tried to run it, I received
the following message:
"Macros in this workbook are disabled because the security level is
high, and the macros have not been digitally signed or verified as
safe. To run the macros, you can either have them signed or change your
security level.."

1) How do you digitally sign a macro?
2) The security level on my machine is medium, should be it be raised
or lowered?

Thanks for your help

Frank

 

[Guest]

You'll need to lower it in order to make the macros run, but it's something
that you're gonna want to be sure you understand the repercussions. Your
system administrator set it to medium most likely because it's their default
setting. Lowering it will open you up to certain risks.

My humble opinion is to make sure with your SA it's allright first.

 

[Gareth]

It seems a bit strange to me. Normally, if you set security at Medium,
you should be prompted to enable macros. (Excel 2000 has Low, Medium,
High; 2003 has Very High).

However, you can easily run macros even with security set at high. You
have a few options rather than changing your security level:

(1) Store the macros somewhere automatically trusted e.g.
(a) Store the macros in your personal.xls.
(b) Store your macros in a separate AddIn and install the AddIn.
Both of these options should allow the macros to be run, even with
securiry set to high.

(2) Alternatively (and to answer your first question) you can sign the
project. This in general works very well. You have two options (I hope I
have them the right way round).
(a) selfcert.exe - lets you create a unique signature key for your
machine. This is the simpler method but you can't easily export the key
so you must resign if you or someone else makes changes from a different
machine or login--shouldn't be a problem if it's just you using it.
Likewise, if you get a new PC, you will need to create a new one.
(b) makecert.exe - lets you create an exportable signature key. This
way, a bunch of you can share it (if multiple users need to edit the VBA
code) and you can easily export it to a new machine. [I've experienced
problems with this key just giving up the ghost and refusing to work at
times though.

I'm not even mentioning the idea of buying a signature here. Far too
pricey if you ask me.

HTH,

Gareth

 

[prepotency]

It's not a problem of the security on your entire machine.. It's
matter of excel's security feature.

Tools -> Macro -> Security... [Select Medium]

This will prompt you on if you want to 'enable macros' each time yo
open a worksheet that contains macros. If you trust the source, the
you can enable it; perfectly safe if you trust the source of th
spreadsheet.

Garret

 

[FJB]

This workbook is accessed by five other people. What is the effect of
saving the macro in my personal.xls?

 

[STEVE BELL]

The macros will only be accessable to you...