Microsoft follows through on promise, disabling Excel 4.0 macros

Microsoft'southward not one to allow its Office apps invite security threats, hence why it'southward nifty downward on macros, otherwise known every bit a potential gateway for malware. No longer volition Excel users have to fear for their lives when opening an Excel file only to cease up infecting their system with all sorts of digital terrors.

Microsoft fabricated information technology clear this change was on the way a long, long time ago, and so the company's reaffirmation that it has followed through on its plans should come as no surprise.

Per Microsoft, "this setting now defaults to Excel four.0 (XLM) macros being disabled in Excel (Build 16.0.14427.10000) Per the original blog post, Administrators can also use the existing Microsoft 365 applications policy control to configure this setting."

As noted in Microsoft's comments, admins tin can tinker with this new default to suit their organization's needs. Just for the vast bulk of users, what's done is washed and the era of macro malware in Excel is officially in the rearview mirror. Which, it goes without saying, is an enhancement to the security of ane of Office's core pillars. Yet, if you're yet not satisfied with Microsoft's suite of productivity apps, it's worth checking out the best alternatives to Office 365.

Security'southward not the only matter on the Excel team'southward mind. The app likewise has an always-evolving slate of new features on the style. For case, it was recently announced that Excel will enable you to add hyperlinks to modern comments. The feature addition has a tentative February 2022 release window, though that'due south discipline to change at whatever time.

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