Automation Security

This policy setting controls whether macros can run in an Office 2016 application that is opened programmatically by another application.

If you enable this policy setting, you can choose from three options for controlling macro behavior in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word when the application is opened programmatically:

- Disable macros by default - All macros are disabled in the programmatically opened application.

- Macros enabled (default) - Macros can run in the programmatically opened application. This option enforces the default configuration in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

- User application macro security level - Macro functionality is determined by the setting in the "Macro Settings" section of the Trust Center.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, when a separate program is used to launch Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, or Word programmatically, any macros can run in the programmatically opened application without being blocked.

Supported on: At least Windows 7

Set the Automation Security level


  1. Disable macros by default
    Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry Pathsoftware\policies\microsoft\office\common\security
    Value Nameautomationsecurity
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value3
  2. Use application macro security level
    Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry Pathsoftware\policies\microsoft\office\common\security
    Value Nameautomationsecurity
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value2
  3. Macros enabled (default)
    Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry Pathsoftware\policies\microsoft\office\common\security
    Value Nameautomationsecurity
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value1


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