Office Settings & Configuration

How to Save Excel Workbooks as Macro-Enabled (*.xlsm) by Default

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to configure Excel so that every newly created workbook is automatically saved in the macro-enabled format (*.xlsm).

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Creating and saving new workbooks frequently that require VBA macros to function.
Observed behavior: By default, Excel saves new workbooks as standard .xlsx files, requiring users to manually change the file type to .xlsm from a dropdown menu every time they save a macro-enabled workbook.

Before you start

Ensure you understand the security implications of macro-enabled files (.xlsm), as they can contain executable VBA code. It is recommended to only run macros from trusted sources.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Default Save Format in Excel Options

Modify Excel's built-in save settings so that the default file type is always set to Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm).

By adjusting the global save settings in Excel Options, you can bypass the standard .xlsx default. This is highly useful for developers or financial analysts who use VBA scripts in almost every workbook they create.

Open Excel Options

Launch Excel and click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon. At the very bottom of the left-hand menu, select 'Options'.

Navigate to Save Settings

In the Excel Options dialog box that appears, click on 'Save' in the left sidebar to access document saving preferences.

Change Default Format

Look for the 'Save workbooks' section at the top. Click the dropdown menu next to 'Save files in this format' and select 'Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm)' from the list.

Apply and Confirm

Click the 'OK' button at the bottom of the dialog to apply the changes. The next time you hit 'Save' on a newly created workbook, it will automatically default to the .xlsm format.

Settings Applied: This setting applies globally to your Excel application on this specific computer. If you use Excel on multiple devices, you will need to repeat these steps on each one.

WPS Office Alternative

Set Default Macro-Enabled Saving in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office provides full support for VBA macros and allows you to easily configure your default save format to macro-enabled workbooks (*.xlsm), streamlining your workflow.

1. Open Global Settings: Launch WPS Spreadsheet, click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' from the drop-down menu.
2. Navigate to General and Save: In the Options dialog, navigate to the 'General and Save' tab located on the left-side panel.
3. Select Default Format: Under the 'Save' section, click the default file format dropdown menu, select 'Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm)', and click OK.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel .xlsm and .xlsx formatsBuilt-in VBA editor for writing, editing, and running macros smoothlyLightweight application with incredibly fast startup speedsFree to download and use with a highly familiar user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing this setting affect my existing .xlsx files?

No, changing the default save format only affects newly created workbooks. Your existing .xlsx files will remain in their original format unless you explicitly perform a 'Save As' and choose the .xlsm format.

Why is my Excel blocking macros even after saving as .xlsm?

Saving a file as .xlsm only provides the correct container for macros; it does not bypass Excel's macro security settings. You must still enable macros in the Trust Center or click 'Enable Content' in the security warning bar when opening the file.

Can I change the default save format back to standard .xlsx later?

Yes, you can revert this change at any time. Simply navigate back to File > Options > Save, and change the 'Save files in this format' dropdown back to 'Excel Workbook (*.xlsx)'.

What is the difference between .xlsx and .xlsm formats?

A .xlsx file is a standard Excel workbook format that cannot store macro code, which protects users from malicious scripts. A .xlsm file is specifically designed to store and safely execute Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros.

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