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Restrict usage of Excel 4.0 (XLM) macros with new macro settings control

Auston's avatar
Auston
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Jul 22, 2021
A new Excel Trust Center settings option to further restrict the usage of Excel 4.0 (XLM) macros is now generally available. Building on the recent release of AMSI integration for XLM macros, this se...
Updated Jul 22, 2021
Version 2.0
Excel 4.0
security
VBA
XLM Macros
Auston's avatar
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Joined January 22, 2021
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OttIT's avatar
OttIT
Copper Contributor
May 10, 2022

In the original article as it is today, it gives the reg key path but doesn't provide the actual keys:

  • Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\16.0\excel\security

What are the key(s) to use to override the new default setting for M365 having Excel 4 macros turned off by default?  I have found in documentation the key xl4macrooff but the documentation sources I have found so far (admx.help and gpsearch) indicate that 0 or NOT configuring this means that macros are enabled.           

 

My "family" version of 365 [MS Excel for MS 365 MSO v. 2204 build 16.0.15128.20128 32-bit] has the extra checkbox in Trust Center for 'enable excel 4 macros...' so I can enable it for myself that way. And there is no excel key at all for me in HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\16.0

 

My cohort's M365 for business lacks this checkbox - how would we enable it for him only ? [manufacturer still employing a legacy catalog system!]
ACTUALLY, his install shows Home&Business 2016: MS Excel 2016 MSO  (same version number and bitness as mine)

Parts of the worksheet function when macros are enabled (in reply to the popup warning or in Trust Center) , but a set of buttons that activate the showing of added lookup data are disabled / can't be clicked on his system. It works fully on mine with that extra checkbox ticked.