Even though an Excel workbook doesn't contain any macros, sometimes when you open a file, a security warning appears.

This can happen if you recorded a macro in the workbook, then deleted it. A module is automatically created to store a recorded macro, but it's not automatically deleted when you delete the macro.

Delete the Empty Module

Follow the steps in this video, to delete the empty modules in the workbook, and that should prevent the security warning from appearing.

If you prefer written instructions, there are detailed steps here to remove empty modules.

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Some people like an Excel workbook that's locked down, so they can't accidentally mess anything up. They just want to go to the data entry section, put in their data, and get out alive.

Other people hate Excel workbooks that are protected. Maybe they know a bit more about Excel, and are comfortable making changes. Or, they've been assigned to manage a workbook, and don't want to bother with worksheet protection, because it slows them down.

One of my clients has plants all over the world, and we've made a similar data collection workbook for each plant. On the last sheet of the workbook, I've added a drop down list, where the user can select TRUE or FALSE.

If the setting changed to FALSE, a macro runs, to unprotect all the worksheets. If the setting is changed to TRUE, all the sheets are protected.

Continue reading Let Users Lock or Unlock an Excel Workbook