VBA & Macro Problems

How to Stop Word Calendar Date Prompts on Startup

Guest Writer Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent a Word calendar template from asking to change the date every time the document is opened.

How to Stop Word Calendar Date Prompts on Startup

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening a calendar document created from a macro-enabled Word template.
Observed behavior: A pop-up prompt repeatedly appears asking the user to select or change the calendar dates upon startup, triggered by underlying VBA code.

Before you start

Before modifying the underlying VBA code, ensure you save a backup copy of your calendar template in case you accidentally remove essential functions.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Prompt via the Visual Basic Editor

Edit the underlying VBA code to stop the Document_Open procedure from triggering the date-selection form.

Word calendar templates often use VBA macros to prompt for a date when they are first generated. Removing the prompt from the Document_Open procedure prevents the popup from appearing on subsequent opens without breaking the calendar layout.

Open the Visual Basic Editor

Open your calendar document in Word and press Alt+F11 to launch the Visual Basic Editor. Do not use Alt+F8, as the required background procedure will not appear in the standard Macros dialog box.

Locate the Document Object

In the left-hand Project pane, expand 'TemplateProject', then expand 'Microsoft Word Objects', and double-click on 'ThisDocument' to view its code.

Edit the Document_Open Procedure

In the code window, locate the 'Document_Open' procedure. Delete the specific lines of code that display the date-selection form and trigger the prompt.

Preserve Other Functions

Ensure you do not delete the 'Document_New' and 'Ribbon_Load' procedures, as these might be necessary for the calendar's ribbon interface and new document generation.

Save the Template

Save the template and close the Visual Basic Editor. Replace any older copies of the template with this newly updated version.

Remove the Prompt via the Visual Basic Editor

Macro Settings: If you cannot open the VBA editor or the code does not run, check if your Word Trust Center settings are configured to allow macros.

Solution 2

Save as a Standard Word Document

Strip out the macros completely by changing the file format after setting your initial dates.

Manage Macros Easily

Edit VBA Macros Seamlessly in WPS Office

WPS Office fully supports VBA macros, allowing you to edit document procedures and fix annoying pop-ups just like in Microsoft Word. Here is how you can seamlessly manage macros and customize calendar templates using WPS Writer.

1. Open your Document in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your macro-enabled calendar document.
2. Access the Developer Tools: Navigate to the 'Developer' tab located on the top ribbon menu.
3. Launch the VBA Editor: Click the 'Visual Basic' icon or press the Alt+F11 shortcut to open the VBA editor interface.
4. Edit the Code: Navigate to 'ThisDocument' in the Project window and modify the Document_Open procedure to permanently remove the date prompts.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office macro-enabled formats (.docm, .dotm)Built-in Visual Basic Editor for seamless code adjustmentsFree and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word that loads large files instantlyFamiliar user interface ensuring a zero-learning-curve transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Word calendar keep asking for the date?

This happens because the calendar was created from a macro-enabled template. A built-in VBA script is programmed to run every time the document is opened (via the Document_Open procedure), which triggers a pop-up asking you to update or confirm the calendar dates.

Can I disable the date prompt by deleting the macro from the Macros list?

No. The Document_Open procedure is built into the document's background events and typically does not appear in the standard View Macros (Alt+F8) dialog box. You must use the Visual Basic Editor (Alt+F11) to view and remove this specific type of code.

How do I save my calendar without macros after setting the dates?

Once you have selected your desired dates, go to File > Save As and choose the standard Word Document (.docx) format instead of a Macro-Enabled Document (.docm). This will automatically strip out all VBA macros, permanently stopping the start-up prompts.

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