Macro security settings in Excel - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Macro security settings

Dashboard Goal

This dashboard helps you understand and manage Excel macro security settings to keep your files safe from harmful code.

Sample Data: Macro Security Settings

Setting	Description	Recommended Use
Disable all macros without notification	Blocks all macros silently.	Use for highest security when macros are not needed.
Disable all macros with notification	Blocks macros but shows a warning to enable.	Good for cautious users who want control.
Disable all macros except digitally signed macros	Allows only trusted signed macros.	Use when you trust certain macro sources.
Enable all macros (not recommended)	Runs all macros without warning.	Only for trusted environments.
Trust access to VBA project object model	Allows programmatic access to VBA code.	Enable only if needed for advanced tasks.

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Current Macro Security Level
  Shows the selected macro security setting from a dropdown (cell B8). Formula: =B8
• Table: Macro Settings Summary
  Displays the sample data table for quick reference.
• KPI Card: Is Macro Access to VBA Project Allowed?
  Shows Yes/No based on selection in cell B9. Formula: =IF(B9="Yes","Allowed","Not Allowed")
• Info Box: Security Advice
  Shows advice based on selected macro security level. Formula:
  =IF(B8="Enable all macros (not recommended)","Warning: This setting can expose you to dangerous code!",IF(B8="Disable all macros without notification","Macros are fully blocked for safety.","Macros are blocked but you can choose to enable them."))

Dashboard Layout

+---------------------------------------+
| Current Macro Security Level (KPI)    |
+----------------+----------------------+
| Macro Settings Summary (Table)        |
|                                      |
|                                      |
+----------------+----------------------+
| Macro Access to VBA Project (KPI)    |
+----------------+----------------------+
| Security Advice (Info Box)             |
+---------------------------------------+

Interactivity

The user selects the macro security level from a dropdown in cell B8. This updates the Current Macro Security Level KPI and the Security Advice box automatically.

Cell B9 is a dropdown for allowing or disallowing access to the VBA project. Changing this updates the Macro Access to VBA Project KPI card.

The Macro Settings Summary table remains static for reference.

Self Check

If you change the macro security level in cell B8 to Enable all macros (not recommended), what changes do you see in the dashboard?

• The Current Macro Security Level KPI updates to show the new setting.
• The Security Advice box shows a warning about risk.
• The Macro Access to VBA Project KPI remains unchanged unless you also change cell B9.

Key Result

Dashboard shows Excel macro security settings with current level, access permission, advice, and reference table.