XL97: Opening Lotus 1-2-3 File May Run Macro Without Warning (241900)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q241900
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you open a workbook in Microsoft Excel 97, a macro from a non-trusted source may be run automatically.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:
  • The workbook has been saved in the Lotus 1-2-3 or Quattro Pro file formats.

    -and-

  • The workbook contains a Lotus 1-2-3 macro that is set to run automatically when the workbook is opened.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, download and install the latest update for Excel 97. The latest update includes this and all other Excel-specific updates that have been released since the latest service release (SR) of Office. The files included in this update will be included in any later SR or patch. To upgrade to the latest patch or for more information about the history of Excel 97 patches, please click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

232652 XL97: Overview and History of Excel Patches

NOTES:

This patch is designed to update Microsoft Excel 97 Service Release 2 (SR-2).

When you install this update, it turns off the Macro Interpreter, and Excel no longer runs Lotus 1-2-3 macros.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

If you need to turn on the Macro Interpreter after you install the Excel 97 Auto Execution Update, follow these steps:
  1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, and then click Run. Type the following command in the Open box

    path/xl8p7pkg.exe /t:c:\test /c

    where path is the complete path to the directory in which you downloaded the file.
  2. Click Yes to accept the license agreement.

    All of the files contained in the xl8p7pkg.exe file are extracted to C:\Test.
  3. Double-click Xl8lmi.exe.
  4. Click Yes when you are asked if you would like to re-enable the Macro Interpreter (MI).
  5. Click Yes to accept the license agreement.
  6. Click OK when you see the message that indicates that your system has been updated successfully.
When you run the Xl8lmi.exe file, it adds the following entry to the Windows registry and sets it to a value of 1:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Excel\Microsoft Excel\EnableMacroInterpreter

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/30/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB241900
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.