How to Enable Macros in Microsoft Excel For Mac

Updated on:

May 12, 2026

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Use this interactive demo to learn how to turn on macros in Excel for Mac in three steps.

Quick summary

Enabling macros in Microsoft Excel for Mac requires adjusting the Macro Security setting inside Excel's Preferences panel. Once set to Enable All Macros, the change takes effect immediately so you can run automated workflows without interruption.

Steps

With your Microsoft Excel worksheet open, press Command + Comma simultaneously to open the Preferences panel.
Navigate to the Sharing and Privacy section and select Security from the available options.
Under Macro Security, click Enable All Macros — changes apply immediately, allowing you to run and use Excel macros.

📌 Why this matters

Macros in Microsoft Excel for Mac automate repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing manual errors for analysts, finance teams, and power users. Many Mac users struggle to locate the Macro Security setting because it is buried inside the Preferences panel rather than the ribbon. Enabling macros correctly ensures compatibility with shared workbooks and VBA-based workflows across Windows and Mac environments. This demo gives Mac users a clear, visual path to activating macro support in under a minute.

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