8.5: Saving Macro-Enabled Workbooks (.xlsm)
- Page ID
- 151332
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Because macros contain code that automates Excel, they must be stored in a special file type called a Macro-Enabled Workbook. This ensures that your recorded or written macros are preserved, functional, and secure when you close and reopen the file. If you save a workbook containing macros as a regular .xlsx file, Excel will permanently remove all macro code.
Macros are powerful tools—and like any code, they can trigger security warnings if shared across systems. Learning how to save and share them properly keeps your automations safe and accessible to others.
How to Save a Macro-Enabled Workbook
- Go to File ▸ Save As.
- Under Save as type, choose Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm).
- Name your file clearly (for example, Monthly_Report_Tool.xlsm) and click Save.
When you save the file, Excel automatically preserves all recorded or written macros in that workbook.
Important Notes
- Macros are not stored in .xlsx files.
If you accidentally save your workbook as .xlsx, Excel will display a warning that all macros will be removed. Once saved in that format, the automation cannot be recovered unless you kept an earlier .xlsm version. - Macro security prompts are normal.
When recipients open an .xlsm file, Excel may display a yellow bar at the top of the screen stating “Macros have been disabled.” Users must click Enable Content if they trust the file’s source. This security measure helps prevent malicious macros from running automatically. - Sharing with others:
Before sending an .xlsm file, inform recipients that it contains macros. Encourage them to store it in a trusted location or enable macros only if they recognize the sender.
Tip: Keep Both Versions When Needed
If your workbook includes macros but you also need a “view-only” version for distribution, save two copies:
- A macro-enabled version (.xlsm) for editing and running automations.
- A standard workbook (.xlsx) for sharing with users who don’t need the macros.
This practice ensures compatibility while preserving your automation work.
Example: Preparing a Shared Automation Tool
Suppose you create a “Budget Formatter” macro that standardizes column widths, applies color themes, and inserts totals. To share it with your department, you would save it as Budget_Formatter_Tool.xlsm. When coworkers open it, Excel will warn them that macros are present; once they click Enable Content, they can use your “Format Report” button immediately.