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How to Configure Excel Trusted Locations with an Ampersand in Group Policy
Question details
The user needs to configure a Group Policy object (GPO) for an Excel Trusted Location where the folder path includes an ampersand (&) without breaking macro functionality.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deploying trusted network or local paths via Group Policy so users can run macro-enabled workbooks without security warnings.
- Observed behavior
- Escaping the ampersand (&&) displays correctly in the Trust Center but disables macros. Leaving it unescaped (&) displays as an underscore in the UI but allows macros to execute properly.
Ensure you have administrative privileges to edit Group Policy objects (GPO) and access to a test machine to verify macro execution before deploying changes organization-wide.
Configure the Policy Path with an Unescaped Ampersand
Leaving the ampersand unescaped is the most effective method. Excel processes the underlying path correctly for macro security, even if the display UI interprets the ampersand as an underscore.
When an ampersand is used in a path via Group Policy, the Excel Trust Center UI often treats it as a keyboard accelerator, converting it to an underscore visually. However, the background security check still evaluates the correct path string.
Launch the Group Policy Management Editor and navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Excel > Excel Options > Security > Trust Center > Trusted Locations.
Select an available Trusted Location policy (e.g., Trusted Location #1) and choose 'Enabled'.
In the Path field, enter your target directory exactly as it is named using a single ampersand (e.g., 'C:\Finance & HR'). Do not double the ampersand to '&&'.
Apply the policy, log into a test machine, and open a macro-enabled workbook from that path to confirm that no security warning appears.
Rename the Target Folder to Exclude Special Characters
If testing shows inconsistent behavior across different network environments or Excel versions, renaming the folder to remove the ampersand eliminates the conflict entirely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the ampersand appear as an underscore in Excel Trusted Locations?
This is a visual rendering quirk in the Excel Trust Center UI. The ampersand (&) is historically interpreted by Windows UI components as a keyboard accelerator (shortcut key) prefix, causing the next character to be underlined or the symbol replaced, though the actual path remains fully functional.
Does doubling the ampersand (&&) fix the display issue?
Yes, entering '&&' in the Group Policy path will make it display correctly with a single ampersand in the Excel Trust Center menu. However, it alters the actual path string that Excel evaluates in the background, which typically breaks macro functionality.
How can I verify if my Group Policy Trusted Location is actually working?
Place a trusted, macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm) in the designated folder. Open it in Excel; if the macros run automatically without triggering a yellow security warning bar at the top of the screen, the Trusted Location policy is successfully applied.
