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Using Excel macros can get you in serious trouble at work, better use Power automate
Macros are a security risk in many situations.
4 min. read
Published onFebruary 8, 2024
published onFebruary 8, 2024
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Excel macros are extremely useful when dealing with repetitive tasks in Excel, especially in management positions, where a lot of data needs to be analyzed and organized, however, they can also be a target forserious cyberattacks, as they can be hacked by threat actors to gain access to data.
They are not usually recommended to be used in working environments due to this reason, as thisReddit userfound for themselves when they tried to email some Excel macros they built at home on their personal computer to their work computer, so they could get work done faster.
IT at work has the security settings such that when I open one of these .xlsm files on my work computer I don’t even get an option to turn on macros. I have tried all the settings under options to try to get it to work. I have tried looking for the “unblock” check box under the file properties but it doesn’t exist. When I asked IT about it, they said something along the lines of “sorry, macros are a security risk so you need to use power automate”. I have used power automate before and I don’t see how I can reproduce my VBA script there, but I am no expert in either VBA or power automate. They also suggested getting the files digitally signed and I looked into that but it seems like a PITA. Without going through the commercial signing process ($$) it sounded like they would only work on my computer and no one else could use them. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is it possible to reproduce what I am doing in an excel file in some other way using office 365 apps?
In other words, the emails containing macros were blocked because they were identified as a security risk to the organization. Instead, the organization recommended using Power automate, instead.
And a lot of other Reddit users think this is the way to go, as well.
Excel Macros vs. Power Automate: Here’s what people think
While macros can be a short way to get work done faster, they indeed carry a serious risk for any organization, and using them while being part of one and against its policies, can mean serious troubles for any employee, even if it’s done in good faith.
Well, trying to circumvent an information security block is a good way to get in a lot of trouble. I’d recommend trying to partner with them, saying this is what you’re trying to accomplish and see if they can’t help build something to do that thing, or maybe to grant you an exception. If they say they are too busy, the only way to handle that is to escalate it up your management chain and let them decide what should happen.
Can you use Office Scripts? I think you could achieve what you want with it. Maybe with a mix of office script and power automate. It’s not as fast as Macros though.
Macros are a pain anyway. Try to avoid them. They might sound like a good idea and for a single duke they are indeed helpful. Imagine how that scales across an organization. People use that stuff and forget about it. The files get copied around and now you have umpteenth versions. Who will be update every single copy with the latest version of that macro? Avoid macros as much as possible. Think about how this will be maintained after you don’t have use for that (or leave the team and people still call you to maintain it).
So, if you find yourself in a similar situation, resort to using Power Automate instead. Beware that Microsoft recently changed its name toWorkflows, which is a fitting name, given that they’re used to streamline workflows.
And if you don’t know where to start or how to use them, check outour comprehensive guideabout them. You’ll become an expert in no time.
More about the topics:Excel,Microsoft 365
Flavius Floare
Tech Journalist
Flavius is a writer and a media content producer with a particular interest in technology, gaming, media, film and storytelling.
He’s always curious and ready to take on everything new in the tech world, covering Microsoft’s products on a daily basis. The passion for gaming and hardware feeds his journalistic approach, making him a great researcher and news writer that’s always ready to bring you the bleeding edge!
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Flavius Floare
Tech Journalist
Flavius is a writer and a media content producer with a particular interest in technology, gaming, media, film and storytelling.
