How to Store a Macro-Enabled Word Template in SharePoint
Question details
A user needs to configure a SharePoint document library to centrally store and serve a macro-enabled Word template to multiple users without relying on legacy shortcuts.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Centrally managing a macro-enabled Word document template for a large team through a SharePoint document library.
- Observed behavior
- Traditional methods like mapped drives, File Explorer shortcuts, and Internet Explorer dependencies cause compatibility and security issues. The goal is to set up a robust, modern deployment method.
Ensure you have Site Owner or SharePoint Administrator permissions to create site content types and modify document library settings. Back up your existing macro-enabled template and test the new process on a small batch of documents first.
Deploy the Template via SharePoint Site Content Types
The most reliable method is to attach your macro-enabled template to a custom site content type and add it directly to the library's New menu.
Using a site content type ensures that the macro-enabled template acts as the central reference for the document library natively, bypassing the need for mapped drives or insecure shortcuts.
Navigate to your SharePoint Site Settings and select 'Site content types'. Create a new content type and base it on the standard Document type.
Open the Advanced settings for your newly created content type. Select 'Upload a new document template' and upload your macro-enabled Word template (.dotm).
Go to the target document library, click on the Settings gear, and choose 'Library settings'. Click 'Advanced settings' and select 'Yes' under 'Allow management of content types'.
Return to the Library settings page. Under the Content Types section, click 'Add from existing site content types' and add the custom content type you created.
Users can now click the 'New' dropdown button in the document library and select the custom template. This will launch a new document in Word and allow the VBA New Document event to run.
Refactor Legacy VBA Macros for Modern SharePoint
If your template previously relied on mapped drives or legacy File Explorer views, you must update the VBA code to interact properly with modern SharePoint URLs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my SharePoint template macros failing to run?
Macros often fail if they contain legacy dependencies like mapped drives or Internet Explorer technologies, which are no longer supported by modern SharePoint and Microsoft 365 security policies. Updating the VBA code to use standard cloud references usually resolves this.
Can I apply a new template without affecting existing SharePoint documents?
Yes. Applying a new site content type to the 'New' menu affects only newly created documents. Over 2,000 existing documents in your library will remain unchanged and tied to their original template unless you manually redirect them.
How do users access the macro-enabled template in SharePoint?
Once configured via site content types, users simply click the 'New' dropdown button in the document library and select your custom template name to create a fresh macro-enabled document.
