XL: No Macro Virus Warning Appears Opening Protected Workbook

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you select the Macro Virus Protection check box in the General tab in the Options dialog box, and then open a workbook that contains Visual Basic for Applications code, you may not receive a warning message that indicates the workbook contains macros.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the workbook requires you to enter a password to open it. Microsoft Excel does not scan for macros when you open workbooks that are protected by this kind of password. It is assumed that these workbooks have been created by trusted sources; therefore the workbooks are not scanned for macros or macro viruses.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, remove the password that is required to open the workbook by following these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Save As.

2. In the Save As dialog box, click Options.

3. In the Password To Open box, delete the password. Then, click OK.

4. Click Save to save the workbook.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

To apply a password that is required to open a workbook, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Save As.

2. In the Save As dialog box, click Options.

3. In the Password To Open box, enter a password. Then, click OK.

4. Reenter the same password, and then click OK again.

5. Click Save to save the workbook.

To make macro virus protection available, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options or Preferences. Click the General tab.

2. Click to select the Macro Virus Protection check box, and then click OK.

   ARTICLE-ID: Q171093
   TITLE     : XL97: Macro Virus Protection Alert May Not Appear

   ARTICLE-ID: Q171661
   TITLE     : XL97: Macro Virus Warning Appears Opening File Without
               Macros