Problem: Excel is more security-conscious than in the past. In fact, many features that I rely on are now disabled, such as links to external files, external queries, and macros.
Strategy: Microsoft will ease up if you store your files in a trusted location. Follow these steps:
- Store all your files with macros and data for links in a folder on your hard drive. Make sure no viruses are in the folder. Delete any dragons, centaurs, and grues from the folder. Make sure you don't store your kid's delete-all-files-on-the hard-drive science project in that folder.
- Select File, Options. In the left pane of the Excel Options dialog, choose Trust Center. Click the Trust Center Settings button. In the left pane, choose Trusted Locations.
- Near the bottom, click the Add New Location button.
- In the Microsoft Office Trusted Location dialog, click the Browse button. Browse to the correct folder and click OK.
- Open anything from this folder without warnings.
- If you want the subfolders of the location to be trusted as well, select the Subfolders of This Location Are Also Trusted check box.
- Click OK to add the trusted location. Click OK to close the Trust Center. Click OK to close the Excel Options dialog.
Results: You will now be able to open files with links and external data queries without a hassle, if they are in a trusted location.
Additional Details: Microsoft is now counting on you. Please, don't randomly right-click on attachments in spam e-mails and choose to save them in the trusted location.