XL2000: Cannot Open Workbook That Contains XLM Macros When Macro Security Is Set to High (230889)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q230889
For a Microsoft Excel 2002 version of this article, see 291206.

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 attempt to open your file, you receive the following error message:
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.
The file does not open.

CAUSE

This problem occurs 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 allows Excel to run XLM macros when the macro security level is set to High. To do this, follow these steps:

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.

  1. Click Start, and then 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 then click Key.
  4. Type Security, and then press ENTER.
  5. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then 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.
  9. On the Registry menu, click Exit.

MORE INFORMATION

After you add the XLM key to the registry, XLM macros cannot be disabled. The following sections discuss the behavior of Excel after you have added the XLM key to the registry:

The Workbook Contains XLM Code

When you open a workbook that contains XLM macro code, you are prompted with the following message:
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.
If you click Enable Macros, the workbook opens and the XLM macros are available to run. If you click Disable Macros, you receive the following message:
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?
If you click Yes, the workbook opens and the XLM macros are available to run. If you click No, the workbook is not opened.

The Workbook Contains XLM Code and Visual Basic for Applications Code

When you open a workbook that contains both XLM code and Visual Basic code, you may receive the following message:
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?
If you click Yes, the workbook opens and the XLM macros are available to run. If you click No, the workbook is not opened. Visual Basic macros are not enabled.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/5/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB230889
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.