Digital Signatures - Checkbox Grayed Out

[vmottert]

I have some Excel spreadsheets with VB macros that are distributed to users around the USA. There are digital signatures in the files and most users are able to surpress the macro warning dialog boxes by checking the "Always trust files from this soource" box in the dialog box.

However, for some the "Always trust files from this soource" box is grayed out. So they are not able to surpress the macro warnings.

Anyone know why, and how to fix this? We are all PC users (Macs don't seem to use digital sigantures). I am using Excel 2000. One user this morning is on Excel 2003.

Thanks fore any ideas ...

Vernon

 

[Joe Was]

In their version of Excel they need to check the Trust Access to the Visual Basic Project, CheckBox.

Excel toolbar: Tools - Macro... - Security..., Trusted Publishers [Tab]

If this does not fix the problem then they may be locked out by a network security profile?

 

[Greg Truby]

They may need to install the digital signature on the machine before that box will be enabled.

...brb...

Here's some more info on the subject.

Take a look at the macro security level as well. I'm not sure if HIGH or VERY HIGH will let you add trusted sources or no. I know that MEDIUM will. [Hard to test this issue for you because all of my users have already installed my sig. :wink: ]

 

[vmottert]

Thanks Joe, Greg ...

Greg, I think the digital certificate is installed on their machine when they check the box ... but it is grayed out so they can't install it. His security is set to Medium (should have mentioned that), which should be OK. I looked at the link and will pass that along.

Joe, I'll pass your suggestions along. I didn't think about network security. We'll look into that.

Much appreciated !

Regards,

Vernon

 

[Greg Truby]

Hmmm, my experience has been that box is only grayed out when the sig is not installed. You have to go through the process of installing the digi-sig. Then sometimes even though you have installed the digi-sig, the "always trust..." checkbox is disabled. You have to open the WB, close it and then re-open and the "alway trust..." checkbox is enabled on the 2^nd opening of the file.

As far as network security goes, I've never seen that impact that checkbox; but Joe knows lots of stuff I don't; so not sayin' it can't happen; only that I ain't seen it.

 

[Joe Was]

We have our net security permissions set not to allow user installed certificates, but yes you are right the network settings will not directly effect the checkboxes. Indirectly if you cannot install the certificate [On our system you are not warned and it looks like the install worked, but it did not!] then Office Security takes over and will lock out the checkbox.

 

[vmottert]

Thanks Greg, Joe, for the additional thoughts on network security. Very helpful.

Regards,

Vernon