VBA & Macro Problems

How to Fix Word VBA AutoExec Macro Not Working After Migration

Partner Editor Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user's Word VBA AutoExec macro and DocumentOpen events stopped running automatically after migrating to a new computer, changing Office versions, or migrating to a third-party provider.

How to Troubleshoot a Word VBA AutoExec Macro That Stopped Working

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Running VBA macros automatically upon opening Word documents after a system or Office migration.
Observed behavior: The AutoExec macro and application DocumentOpen events fail to trigger or execute properly when launching the application or opening documents.

Before you start

Ensure that macros are enabled in your Word Trust Center settings, as new Office installations or security updates often disable them by default for protection.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Macro Security Settings and Template Location

Ensure Word is allowed to run macros and that the AutoExec macro is properly placed in a trusted location or global template.

When moving to a new computer or updating Office, security settings are often reset. AutoExec macros must be stored in specific locations and explicitly allowed by the application's security policies to run without manual intervention.

Check Trust Center Settings

Open Microsoft Word, navigate to File > Options > Trust Center, and click on 'Trust Center Settings'. Under 'Macro Settings', ensure that macros are enabled or that your file is stored in a Trusted Location.

Verify Template Location

Confirm your macro is saved in the Normal.dotm template or a global template stored within the designated Word Startup folder.

Check Event Initialization

Ensure your application-level DocumentOpen event class is properly initialized in a standard module, as initialization hooks can sometimes break during version migrations.

Verify Macro Security Settings and Template Location

Trusted Locations: Adding your Startup folder or template directory to the Trusted Locations list in the Trust Center can bypass strict macro blocking policies introduced in recent Office updates.

Solution 2

Consult Specialised VBA Programming Communities

For complex DocumentOpen event failures after migration that cannot be fixed by basic settings, seek help from specialized programming forums.

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Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Document Experience

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my AutoExec macro not running automatically when Word opens?

This usually happens because macro security settings are blocking execution, the macro is not placed in a globally loaded template like Normal.dotm, or the template is not located in the Word Startup folder.

Where should I store an AutoExec macro in Word?

An AutoExec macro must be stored in a standard module within a global template or the Normal.dotm template to execute automatically when the Word application starts.

Are macros disabled by default after migrating to a new PC?

Yes, new Microsoft Office installations typically revert to default security settings, which disable macros originating from external sources or unverified locations to protect your system from malicious code.

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