How to Make Excel Macros Run on Another Computer in WPS Spreadsheets
Question details
The user needs to make an Excel VBA macro workbook run correctly on another computer after it works on the original machine.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A macro-enabled Excel workbook works on one computer, and the user wants to distribute or open it on another computer without losing VBA functionality.
- Observed behavior
- The macro runs on the source computer but may be blocked by macro security, fail to save in a macro-enabled format, or report missing references, add-ins, or platform-related errors on the target computer.
Before changing macro settings, note the WPS Office or Excel version and Windows/macOS type on both the source and target computers. Make a copy of the .xlsm file so you can test settings without modifying the original workbook.
Enable macro security and save the workbook as .xlsm
Use this first when a macro runs on the source computer but the target computer blocks or disables it.
Macro security and the workbook file format are the most common reasons a VBA project works on one computer and fails on another. WPS Spreadsheets must allow trusted or signed macros, and the workbook must remain in a macro-enabled format.
Start WPS Office and open the workbook that contains the VBA macros.
Click the Developer tab, then click Macro Security. Choose “Disable all macros except digitally signed macros” or “Enable all macros” only when you trust the file source, and confirm with OK.
Click Menu > Save As, select Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm), choose the target location, and save the file.
Close and reopen the saved .xlsm file on the target computer, enable content when prompted, and run the macro to verify it works.
Check VBA references, add-ins, and external connections
Use this when the target computer opens the workbook but the macro fails with errors such as “Cannot find project or library” or missing data connections.
Test Windows/Mac, 32-bit/64-bit, and ActiveX compatibility
Use this for macros that still fail after enabling macros and fixing references, especially when distributing across different operating systems or Office versions.
Run Excel Macros Reliably with WPS Spreadsheets
Use WPS Spreadsheets to enable VBA macros, save .xlsm workbooks, check VBA references, and test the macro on another computer without paying for Microsoft Office.
- 1. Open the macro workbook in WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office, open the .xlsm or .xls file containing the VBA macro, and review the macro security prompt.
- 2. Enable trusted macro settings: Click the Developer tab, select Macro Security, and allow signed or trusted macros while keeping untrusted macros disabled.
- 3. Save as an Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook: Click Menu > Save As, choose Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm), and save a copy for the target computer.
- 4. Check VBA references and add-ins: Open the Visual Basic editor from the Developer tab, click Tools > References, and remove missing references or add required libraries.
- 5. Test the macro on the other computer: Copy the .xlsm file to the target machine, open it in WPS Spreadsheets, enable content when prompted, and run the macro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Excel macro work on one computer but not another?
Usually because macro security blocks VBA on the target computer, the file was saved as .xlsx instead of .xlsm, or a required VBA reference, add-in, or ActiveX control is missing. Check Developer > Macro Security, save as .xlsm, and review Tools > References in the VBA editor.
How do I enable macros in WPS Spreadsheets on another computer?
Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheets, click the Developer tab, choose Macro Security, and select “Disable all macros except digitally signed macros” or “Enable all macros” for trusted files. Then close and reopen the file and choose Enable Content if prompted.
Does WPS Office support Excel macro-enabled .xlsm files?
Yes, WPS Spreadsheets can open and save Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook files. Use Menu > Save As and select Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm) to preserve the VBA project.
What does the error “Cannot find project or library” mean when running a macro?
It means the workbook references a library, add-in, or object model that is missing on the target computer. Open the VBA editor, click Tools > References, find the MISSING entry, clear it, and add the equivalent library available on that computer.
Can I run Excel VBA macros on WPS Office for Mac?
WPS Office supports VBA/macro features on compatible platforms, but some Windows-specific ActiveX controls, API calls, and 32-bit/64-bit references may not work on macOS. Test the macro on the target system and replace platform-specific components where possible.
