XL2000: Cannot Open Workbook that Contains XLM Macros When Macro Security is Set to High

• Microsoft Excel 2000

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to open your file, the following error message may appear:

This workbook contains a type of macro (Microsoft Excel version 4.0 macro) that cannot be disabled or signed. Therefore, this workbook cannot be opened under High Security Level.

CAUSE

This problem will occur when the following conditions are true:

• Your workbook contains Excel 4.0 (XLM) macros.


-and-


• The macro security level of Excel has been set to High.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, you can add a key to the registry that will allow Excel to run XLM macros when the macro security level is set to High. To do this, follow these steps:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

1. On the Windows Start menu, click Run. In the Open box, type regedit. Click OK.



2. In the left pane, click the plus signs (+) to the left of the following items (in order):

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
   Software
   Microsoft
   Office
   9.0
   Excel




3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and click Key.



4. Type Security, and then press ENTER.



5. On the Edit menu, point to New, and click DWORD Value.



6. Type XLM, and then press ENTER.



7. Double-click XLM.



8. Type 1 in the Value box, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

Once you add the XLM key to the registry, XLM macros cannot be disabled. The following sections discuss the behavior that you will see when macro security is set to High and you open a workbook that contains an XLM macro after you have added the XLM key to the registry:

The Workbook Contains XLM Code

<Filename> contains macros.

Macros may contain viruses. It is always safe to disable macros, but if the macros are legitimate, you might lose some functionality.

This workbook contains a type of macro (Microsoft Excel 4.0 macro) that cannot be disabled. There may be viruses in these macros. If you are sure this workbook is from a trusted source, click Yes. Open the workbook?

The Workbook Contains XLM Code and Visual Basic for Applications Code

This workbook contains a type of macro (Microsoft Excel 4.0 macro) that cannot be disabled. There may be viruses in these macros. If you are sure this workbook is from a trusted source, click Yes. Open the workbook?

Additional query words: XL2000 digital signature

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb