Macro security settings in Excel - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to enable macros in Excel by setting the security level to low.

Excel

Application.AutomationSecurity = [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AmsoAutomationSecurityByUI

BmsoAutomationSecurityHigh

CmsoAutomationSecurityLow

DmsoAutomationSecurityForceDisable

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing a high security level disables macros.

Using the wrong constant name causes errors.

Setting Application.AutomationSecurity to msoAutomationSecurityLow enables macros to run without prompts.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to check the current macro security setting in Excel.

Excel

currentSetting = Application.AutomationSecurity
If currentSetting = [1] Then
    MsgBox "Macros are enabled"
End If

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AmsoAutomationSecurityLow

BmsoAutomationSecurityHigh

CmsoAutomationSecurityByUI

DmsoAutomationSecurityForceDisable

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Confusing high security with enabled macros.

Using an incorrect constant for comparison.

The msoAutomationSecurityLow setting means macros are enabled.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code that disables all macros in Excel.

Excel

Application.AutomationSecurity = [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AmsoAutomationSecurityLow

BmsoAutomationSecurityForceDisable

CmsoAutomationSecurityHigh

DmsoAutomationSecurityByUI

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using msoAutomationSecurityHigh disables macros but not forcefully.

Using low security enables macros instead of disabling.

To disable all macros, use msoAutomationSecurityForceDisable.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to set macro security to prompt the user before running macros.

Excel

Application.AutomationSecurity = [1]
MsgBox "Current security is set to " & [2]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AmsoAutomationSecurityByUI

BmsoAutomationSecurityLow

CmsoAutomationSecurityHigh

DmsoAutomationSecurityForceDisable

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using low or high security constants instead of the prompt setting.

Displaying a different constant than the one set.

Setting Application.AutomationSecurity to msoAutomationSecurityByUI makes Excel prompt the user before running macros. Displaying the same constant confirms the setting.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a VBA macro that sets macro security to high, checks it, and shows a message.

Excel

Sub SetHighSecurity()
    Application.AutomationSecurity = [1]
    Dim secLevel As Integer
    secLevel = Application.AutomationSecurity
    If secLevel = [2] Then
        MsgBox [3]
    End If
End Sub

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AmsoAutomationSecurityLow

BmsoAutomationSecurityHigh

C"Macro security is set to High"

D"Macros are enabled"

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Mixing low and high security constants.

Using a message that does not match the security level.

This macro sets the security to high, checks if it is high, and then shows a message confirming the setting.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Macro Security Settings in Excel?

easy

A. To change the font size of cells automatically

B. To sort data alphabetically

C. To create charts from data

D. To control if and how macros run to protect your computer

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what macros are

   Macros are small programs that automate tasks in Excel.

2. Step 2: Identify the role of security settings

   Macro security settings control whether these programs can run, protecting your computer from unsafe code.

3. Final Answer:

   To control if and how macros run to protect your computer -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Macro security controls macro execution [OK]

Hint: Macros can be risky; security settings keep you safe [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing macro security with formatting options
• Thinking macro security changes data sorting
• Assuming macro security creates charts

2. Which menu path do you follow to change Macro Security Settings in Excel?

easy

A. File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings

B. Home > Clipboard > Paste Special

C. Insert > Table > Macro Settings

D. View > Zoom > Macro Security

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate Excel Options

   Click File, then Options to open Excel settings.

2. Step 2: Find Trust Center and Macro Settings

   Inside Options, select Trust Center, then Trust Center Settings, and finally Macro Settings.

3. Final Answer:

   File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Macro settings are under Trust Center [OK]

Hint: Macro settings live in Trust Center under Options [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking for macro settings under Insert or View menus
• Confusing macro settings with clipboard or zoom options
• Skipping Trust Center step

3. If Macro Security is set to 'Disable all macros with notification', what happens when you open a workbook with macros?

medium

A. Macros are disabled but you get a security warning to enable them

B. Macros are disabled and no notification appears

C. Macros run automatically without warning

D. Excel crashes immediately

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the setting meaning

   'Disable all macros with notification' means macros do not run automatically but you get a warning.

2. Step 2: Identify user action

   You can choose to enable macros after seeing the notification.

3. Final Answer:

   Macros are disabled but you get a security warning to enable them -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Disable with notification means warning shown [OK]

Hint: Disable with notification means macros off until you approve [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking macros run automatically
• Assuming no notification appears
• Believing Excel crashes on macro security

4. You set Macro Security to 'Enable all macros' but macros still do not run. What is a likely cause?

medium

A. You need to restart Excel twice

B. The workbook is opened from an untrusted location and Trust Center blocks macros

C. Excel does not support macros

D. You forgot to save the workbook

Solution

1. Step 1: Check macro security setting

   Setting 'Enable all macros' allows macros to run without prompts.

2. Step 2: Consider Trust Center trusted locations

   If the file is from an untrusted location, Trust Center may block macros despite settings.

3. Final Answer:

   The workbook is opened from an untrusted location and Trust Center blocks macros -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Untrusted location blocks macros even if enabled [OK]

Hint: Check if file location is trusted when macros don't run [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming Excel does not support macros
• Thinking saving or restarting fixes macro blocking
• Ignoring Trust Center trusted locations

5. You want to allow macros only from trusted publishers but block all others. Which Macro Security setting should you choose?

hard

A. Disable all macros without notification

B. Disable all macros with notification

C. Disable all macros except digitally signed macros

D. Enable all macros

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the requirement

   You want to allow macros only if they come from trusted, digitally signed publishers.

2. Step 2: Match setting to requirement

   'Disable all macros except digitally signed macros' allows only signed macros to run, blocking others.

3. Final Answer:

   Disable all macros except digitally signed macros -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Signed macros allowed only = Disable all macros except digitally signed macros [OK]

Hint: Choose signed macros only to trust known publishers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing 'Enable all macros' which allows all macros
• Picking 'Disable all macros with notification' which warns but blocks all
• Confusing signed macros with notifications