Introduction

There are times when you may need to force your users to enable macros to work with your files. Maybe you've programmed some special functions to work with your file, for example. Unfortunately, Office's security settings can get in the way if you really need your macros enabled, as your users could have their system set up to disable macros by default, or they could choose to disable them for some reason. The macro solution below gives you a way to deal with this issue.

Macro Purpose:

• Notify the user that they need to enable macros to work with your file.

Examples of where this function shines:

• Advises users to re-open the workbook with macros enabled
• Sets all other worksheets to "VeryHidden" which means that they cannot be unhidden except through the visual basic editor

Macro Weakness(es):

• PLEASE NOTE: This article was adapted 2013-06-12 with modifications that should resolve issues identified here.
• A user versed in VBA will still be able to unhide your sheets through the VBE

Versions Tested:

• This function has been tested with Excel 2013, and should also work with any version of Excel that supports the xlsm workbook file format without any modifications (Excel 2007 and higher, plus 2000-2003 where the Office Compatibility Pack is installed)

Instructions for Use

• Rename one of your worksheets "Macros" and place instructions to your users, indicating that they will need to re-open the file with macros enabled.

VBA Code Required:

• Place the following code in the ThisWorkbook module of your workbook:

Option Explicit
Const WelcomePage = "Macros"

Private Sub Workbook_BeforeSave(ByVal SaveAsUI As Boolean, Cancel As Boolean)
'Author       : Ken Puls (www.excelguru.ca)
'Macro Purpose: Ensure that the macro instruction sheet is saved as the only
'               visible worksheet in the workbook
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim wsActive As Worksheet
    Dim vFilename As Variant
    Dim bSaved As Boolean
    'Turn off screen flashing
    With Application
        .EnableEvents = False
        .ScreenUpdating = False
    End With
    'Record active worksheet
    Set wsActive = ActiveSheet
    'Save workbook directly or prompt for saveas filename
    If SaveAsUI = True Then
        vFilename = Application.GetSaveAsFilename( _
                    fileFilter:="Excel Files (*.xlsm), *.xlsm")
        If CStr(vFilename) = "False" Then
            bSaved = False
        Else
            'Save the workbook using the supplied filename
            Call HideAllSheets
            On Error Resume Next
            ThisWorkbook.SaveAs vFilename, FileFormat:=xlOpenXMLWorkbookMacroEnabled
            Select Case Err.Number
                Case Is = 1004
                    'User opted not to overwrite
                Case Else
                    MsgBox "Unknown error, file not saved."
                    bSaved = False
                    GoTo ExitPoint
            End Select
            On Error GoTo 0
            
            'Add file to most recent files list
            Application.RecentFiles.Add vFilename
            Call ShowAllSheets
            bSaved = True
        End If
    Else
        'Save the workbook
        Call HideAllSheets
        ThisWorkbook.Save
        Call ShowAllSheets
        bSaved = True
    End If
ExitPoint:
    'Restore file to where user was
    wsActive.Activate
    'Restore screen updates
    With Application
        .ScreenUpdating = True
        .EnableEvents = True
    End With
    
    'Set application states appropriately
    If bSaved Then
        ThisWorkbook.Saved = True
        Cancel = True
    Else
        Cancel = True
    End If
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
'Author       : Ken Puls (www.excelguru.ca)
'Macro Purpose: Unhide all worksheets since macros are enabled
    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    Call ShowAllSheets
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True
    ThisWorkbook.Saved = True
End Sub

Private Sub HideAllSheets()
'Author       : Ken Puls (www.excelguru.ca)
'Macro Purpose: Hide all worksheets except the macro welcome page
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Worksheets(WelcomePage).Visible = xlSheetVisible
    For Each ws In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
        If Not ws.Name = WelcomePage Then ws.Visible = xlSheetVeryHidden
    Next ws
    Worksheets(WelcomePage).Activate
End Sub

Private Sub ShowAllSheets()
'Author       : Ken Puls (www.excelguru.ca)
'Macro Purpose: Show all worksheets except the macro welcome page
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    For Each ws In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
        If Not ws.Name = WelcomePage Then ws.Visible = xlSheetVisible
    Next ws
    Worksheets(WelcomePage).Visible = xlSheetVeryHidden
End Sub

Special Thanks:

A special thank you to Phil Jollans and Tony Jollans for inspiring me to revisit this code and update it!