Tech Tip of the Week

Disabling macros in Excel 2003

Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheets can contain macros, or scripts, to perform various automated functions. Because macros can be malicious on occasion and these macro viruses can destroy data, disabling them can increase security although this will also block legitimate macros from running.

To disable macros, click 'Tools' - 'Options.' When the 'Options' multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the 'Security' tab. Click 'Macro Security.' When the 'Security' multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select the 'Security level' tab. Here you can set the macro security level to low, medium, high or very high.

To add a macro publisher to the 'Trusted' list, set the macro protection to 'Medium' or 'High.' Load a file containing macros you wish to run. You will then be prompted to add the publisher to the trusted list. Note that macros must be digitally signed by a publisher or this option will not appear.

No matter what you choose, you should still run and keep updated a virus scanner that supports the detection and cleaning of macro viruses.