Common Installation Instructions for Office add-ins

The Office security environment has been getting steadily more complex.  Configuring, testing, and documenting different versions of the different programs in the Office suite would require a substantial amount of work and lead to an overly long document.  The settings below work for me.  However, since all my computers are configured with these settings I do not know for sure which settings are required for specific actions. 

You should verify that you are comfortable with the security recommendations below.  You agree that, irrespective of the recommendations here, ultimately you are responsible for the security of your computer.  It is, after all, your computer!.

Security Settings

Installation Process

Security Settings

Security Settings Office 2003 or earlier

Security Settings Office 2007

Security Settings Office 2003 or earlier.

The screen shots below are from Excel 2003.  The process applies equally to another program such as PowerPoint 2003.

Set the security levels with Tools | Macro > Security...

Set the Security Level to Medium so that you will be asked if a workbook with code should be opened with the macros enabled.  You should also check the 'Trust all installed add-ins and templates'

If any of your add-ins access a Visual Basic Project, you will also have to check the 'Trust access to Visual Basic Project'.  Unless otherwise noted, none of the add-ins from this website access a Visual Basic Project.

Security Settings Office 2007

 The screenshots below are from Excel 2007 but apply equally to another program such as PowerPoint 2007.

Select Office | Excel Options.

In the Excel Options dialog box, select Trust Center, then Trust Center Settings...

In the Trust Center dialog box, in the Add-Ins tab, make sure to uncheck all the checkboxes, and in the Macro Settings tab, ensure the Disable all macros with notification is checked.

In addition, if any of your add-ins access a Visual Basic Project, you must check the 'Trust access to the Visual Basic Project object model'.  Unless otherwise noted, none of the add-ins on this website access any VB Project.

Installation Process

In a Office 2003 or earlier program: Select Tools | Add-Ins... to get the Add-Ins dialog box.

With Office 2007, to get to the same Add-Ins dialog box, you have to go through the following steps:

The screenshots are from Excel 2007.  The process applies equally to other Office 2007 programs such as PowerPoint 2007.

Select Office | Excel Options.

In the Excel Options dialog box, select Add-Ins tab.  Then, in the Manage drop-down list select Excel Add-Ins.  Finally, click the Go... button.

Now, you get the same dialog box as in earlier versions of Excel.

The Add-Ins dialog box

Make sure the add-in you want to load has a checkmark next to it.