Whenever you download my latest version of the Microsoft Excel Checkbook Register spreadsheet, Microsoft Windows will display a security risk notice since the file was downloaded from the Internet. If you are using a Mac computer (Mac OS), this won’t happen but you will be prompted to “enable macros” and also to “enable content”.
SAFETY NOTE: Your safety and peace of mind is important to me. You are encouraged to scan any downloaded file for malware. A terrific website that can scan a file is called VirusTotal (https://www.virustotal.com/). Their website will allow you to upload a file and have it scanned using over 60 different virus scanners. My checkbook template will be reported as clean (benign / not malicious).
Microsoft Windows – Security Warning
“Microsoft has blocked macros from running because the source of this file is untrusted”.
Since my newer versions of the checkbook spreadsheet are macro-enabled, you’ll likely see a warning like this when you open it:
The link in the warning will take you to this Microsoft article which also has the steps on how to unblock it. In summary, you’ll want to:
- Close the file if you still have it opened.
- Open Windows File Explorer and go to the folder where you saved the file.
- Right-click the file and choose Properties from the context menu.
- At the bottom of the General tab, select the Unblock checkbox and select OK.
After performing the steps above, the Excel file should open without the security risk warning. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
NOTE: If you arrive at the properties screen above but there’s no checkbox for Unblock, then the file has already been marked as safe.