Do we have to enable macros?

[Christine Lisi]

I have created a form in Word and attached a macro button to it. The macro
unprotects the document, runs the spell check and reprotects the document.
It's such a beautiful thing and it works perfectly, BUT.. what's plaguing me
the fact that by default macros are not enabled in Word. I understand this
is for security reasons. My question is, is there a way to enable one
specific macro without having to enable all macros? My brain brings me to IE
where we can add specific trusted sites, customize cookies, etc. Please tell
me there's a way to allow a specific macro to run without having to change
the macro security for all my users.

Help!

Thank you.
Christine

 

[Jay Freedman]

I have created a form in Word and attached a macro button to it. The macro
unprotects the document, runs the spell check and reprotects the document.
It's such a beautiful thing and it works perfectly, BUT.. what's plaguing me
the fact that by default macros are not enabled in Word. I understand this
is for security reasons. My question is, is there a way to enable one
specific macro without having to enable all macros? My brain brings me to IE
where we can add specific trusted sites, customize cookies, etc. Please tell
me there's a way to allow a specific macro to run without having to change
the macro security for all my users.

Help!

Thank you.
Christine

There isn't any switch or setting you can make that enables just
specific macros. The mechanism that allows certain trusted macros to
run even when the security level is set to High is "digital signing"
of the macro projects themselves. This is described at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011403071033.aspx

What the article doesn't mention is that the least expensive signing
certificate I've ever seen costs $400 per year.

 

[Christine Lisi]

Thank you, Jay. Do you know the specific registry value to change the macro
security to medium?

 

[Jay Freedman]

No, I don't know the registry value, and I wouldn't publish it if I did know
(nor would I expect Microsoft to do so). Think about what you're asking for:
If your macro or .reg file or script could change the security level on
other users' machines without their knowledge, then so could any
virus-writing script kiddie. That would be a Bad Thing (tm).

Explain to each user that they must -- just once -- go to Tools > Macro >
Security and set the level to Medium in their copy of Word. You're going to
have to communicate to them about clicking the Enable Macros button each
time they open the document anyway, so just put this instruction in there.
If possible, include screen shots -- I've found that to be very reassuring
to inexperienced users.