Sharing macros on template (Word2000)

[ofrashai]

Problem: Macros created on template can only be viewed by the "creator". Be it on network or stand-alone, anyone attempting to use the macro (it was assigned a button on the toolbar) receives a message that the macro was unavailable due to security settings.
I do not want to lower security settings (we get much too much mail from outside sources). How do I bypass this problem and tell Word it can trust the macros on this specific template?
PS I do not know much about macros, but going into the template the macro was not listed; nor was it anywhere on the Visual Basic Editor screen (though I could find it in the creating computer). It is as if it was erased when attempting to open the template (as *.dot or as *.doc).

[Dreamboat]

Well, can you put the code text in the document with instructions how to copy it into their own code?

Or export it as a bas that they can import through VBE?

Can you go to Tools-Macros-Security, hit the Trusted sources tab and tell it to Trust all installed addins and templates?

Just some ideas.

[Charles Kenyon]

The message you received may or may not indicate that security settings are blocking your macro. Word will give this message in other situations as well including when it is unable to find the macro.

First, find out (on the creating computer) where the macro is stored. The default storage location for macros is Normal.dot (which should not be shared). Otherwise they are stored in templates. You can do this by opening the template as the creator and using the VBA Editor (Alt-F11). If the macro was recorded and not later moved into a different module, it will be in a "New Macros" module. Look first in your template and if it isn't there, in Normal.dot.

One of the macro security options is to trust macros in files that are in certain directories including the Workgroup Templates directory. See: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.addbalance.com/usersguide/templates.htm> Template Basics</A> (addbalance.com/usersguide/templates.htm) for more on templates (user and workgroup), document templates, global templates and Normal.dot. This also includes how the files are organized under File New and the location of template folders which varies not only by version of Word but also by operating system.

You may want to look at for a draft of my latest article in <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.personal-computer-tutor.com/ABC.htm> All 'Bout Computers a free e-zine.

Note that if you move your macro to a different module or to a module with the same name in a different template the link with your custom toolbar button will be broken and you will have to rebuild the button.

Hope this helps,

[lonelywind]

<hr>Otherwise they are stored in templates.<hr>

They can also be stored within documents as well, starting with Word 97, I believe.

[ofrashai]

I am sorry for being dense, but I am quite a beginner when it comes to macros.

1. The users are opening a template that is on the net. Where would they copy the code to? The same template opened by the creator of the template and the macros works well, but anyone else attempting to open is unable to use the macros.
2. Same question goes to exporting - since it's the same *.dot on the network (by the way Novell 3.12) which is being used by everybody.
3. I read in the help about adding Trusted sources, but they are talking about a digital signature. What is this?
Thank you for your help.

[ofrashai]

Thank you for your very comprehensive answer. It is evening on our side of the ocean, so I'll be able to check all of this and access the user's computer tomorrow. However, I am positive that the macro is on the *.dot (not normal.dot but the shared *.dot), because I put it there, and double-checked by opening a *.doc with with template. But I will follow your clues and let you know tomorrow if I was able to solve this problem.

[Dreamboat]

Nice, Charles. Comprehensive. <img src=/S/groovin.gif border=0 alt=groovin width=21 height=21>