Excel macros: when to use one and how macro security works
For experienced Excel users, analysts and the support staff who look after their workbooks. You should already be comfortable with tables, formulas and saving files ('Spreadsheet fundamentals for office work' or equivalent); no VBA programming is needed. You'll decide when a recorded VBA macro is the right tool and when Power Query or an Office Script fits better, record and save a macro so it works on next month's data, read the Trust Center macro settings, understand why Office blocks macros in files from the internet and the narrow ways to trust a file you've checked, and write a hand-over record so someone else can support the macro. IT staff hardening endpoints should also take 'Hardening endpoints: application control, macros, local admin rights and baselines'. Ends with a supervisor-graded review of a real macro workbook.
- Level
- Advanced
- Length
- About 110 minutes
- Contents
- 5 lessons · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 10 Oct 2026
Skills you'll practise
- Choose between a VBA macro, Power Query and an Office Script for a repeated Excel task
- Record, store and save a macro so it runs on the right data and keeps its code
- Identify what each Trust Center macro setting does and which setting is in effect
- Explain why Office blocks macros in files from the internet and choose the narrowest safe way to trust a file
- Write a macro hand-over record that states purpose, owner, storage, trust method, tests and limits
Course outline
- 1.Choose between a VBA macro, Power Query and an Office ScriptLesson · 18 min
- 2.Record, store and save a macro so it runs on the right dataLesson · 17 min
- 3.Identify what each Trust Center macro setting doesLesson · 17 min
- 4.Explain why Office blocks macros in files from the internet and trust a file narrowlyLesson · 22 min
- 5.Write a macro hand-over recordLesson · 14 min
- 6.Excel macros: when to use one and how macro security works: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 16 questions
- 7.Excel macros: when to use one and how macro security works: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
- 8.Final exam10 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- Microsoft Support: Enable or disable macros in Microsoft 365 files
- Microsoft Support: Change macro security settings in Excel
- Microsoft Support: Add, remove, or change a trusted location in Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Support: Trusted documents
- Microsoft Support: A potentially dangerous macro has been blocked
- Microsoft Learn: Macros from the internet are blocked by default in Office
- Microsoft Support: Quick start: Create a macro
- Microsoft Support: Automate tasks with the Macro Recorder
- Microsoft Support: Digitally sign your VBA macro project
- Microsoft Learn: Differences between Office Scripts and VBA macros
- Microsoft Support: File formats that are supported in Excel
- Microsoft Support: About Power Query in Excel
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