Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix EndNote 21 Word Add-In Macro Security Errors in Microsoft 365

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users encounter a macro-disabled error when starting Microsoft Word, which prevents the EndNote Cite While You Write add-in from loading or functioning properly.

How to Fix EndNote 21 Word Add-In Macro Security Errors in Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft 365 Word, EndNote 21
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening Microsoft Word to write or format citations using the EndNote 21 Cite While You Write extension.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word displays a security warning stating that macros have been disabled. The EndNote tab may disappear, and the add-in fails to operate. In some severe cases involving a corrupted Office suite, other applications like Excel may also fail to launch.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all active documents and completely closed out of all Microsoft Office applications and the EndNote software before attempting to change macro settings or repair installations.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable the EndNote COM Add-in and Adjust Macro Settings

Check Word's built-in Trust Center and Add-ins menu to ensure the EndNote Cite While You Write add-in has the correct permissions to run without being blocked.

Microsoft Word often blocks external macros as a security measure against malicious code. If EndNote's macros are restricted, the add-in cannot initialize. Adjusting the COM Add-in settings is the quickest way to restore functionality.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left sidebar.

Check Trust Center Settings

Select 'Trust Center' from the left menu and click the 'Trust Center Settings' button. Navigate to 'Macro Settings' and ensure that 'Disable all macros with notification' is selected rather than completely disabling all macros.

Access COM Add-ins

Return to the main Word Options window and click on 'Add-ins'. At the bottom of the window, change the 'Manage' dropdown menu to 'COM Add-ins' and click 'Go'.

Enable EndNote Cite While You Write

In the COM Add-ins dialog box, look for 'EndNote Cite While You Write'. Check the box next to it and click 'OK' to enable the add-in.

Enable the EndNote COM Add-in and Adjust Macro Settings

Restart Word: Restart Microsoft Word after applying these changes so the macro security updates can take full effect and the EndNote tab can load.

Solution 2

Repair or Reinstall EndNote 21

A damaged EndNote installation might fail to properly integrate its macro files into Microsoft Word's startup folder.

Solution 3

Perform an Online Repair for Microsoft 365

If other Office applications like Excel are also failing to open, the core Microsoft 365 installation is likely corrupted and needs to be repaired.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say macros are disabled when using EndNote?

Microsoft Word disables unknown macros by default to protect your computer from potentially malicious scripts. If the EndNote templates and add-in files are not recognized in Word's Trusted Locations, Word will block the Cite While You Write macros upon launch.

Where do I find the EndNote Cite While You Write tab in Word?

If the tab is missing, open Word and go to File > Options > Add-ins. Change the 'Manage' dropdown at the bottom to 'COM Add-ins' and click 'Go'. Check the box next to 'EndNote Cite While You Write' to restore the missing tab to your ribbon.

Should I enable all macros in the Word Trust Center?

It is highly recommended not to enable all macros, as this can expose your computer to severe security vulnerabilities. Instead, choose 'Disable all macros with notification' so you can manually approve safe add-ins like EndNote when prompted.

Can a corrupted Microsoft 365 installation stop EndNote from working?

Yes. If critical Microsoft 365 system files are damaged, third-party COM add-ins like EndNote will fail to initialize. This is usually the case if you also notice other applications like Excel failing to open. Performing a Microsoft 365 Online Repair typically fixes this.

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