Security Policy Errors

How to Fix Macro Security Warning Causing Decrypted Text in Excel or Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user encounters a macro security warning when opening an Excel or Word document, and the text inside the file appears decrypted, altered, or corrupted.

Product: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening a macro-enabled document received from a sender or downloaded from a source.
Observed behavior: A macro security warning message is displayed upon opening the file, and the document's text content appears decrypted or noticeably changed from its expected state.

Before you start

Before enabling any macros to restore your document's text, verify that the file was received from a trusted and known source to protect your computer from potential malware.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Macros via the Message Bar for Trusted Documents

Use this solution to safely enable macros if you are absolutely certain the document comes from a verified and reliable sender.

If a document uses legitimate macros to format or decrypt its text content, those macros must be allowed to run. Office blocks them by default for security.

Open the Document

Double-click the affected Excel or Word document to open it in your Office application.

Locate the Security Warning

Look for the yellow Message Bar at the top of the document window, just beneath the ribbon, which displays a 'Security Warning: Macros have been disabled' message.

Enable Content

Click the 'Enable Content' button on the yellow Message Bar to allow the macros to run. Check if the decrypted or altered text is restored to its proper format.

Security Precaution: Never click 'Enable Content' for files downloaded from unknown websites or received from suspicious emails, as malicious macros can compromise your system.

Solution 2

Investigate Document Text Corruption

If enabling macros does not fix the issue or you do not trust the source, gather details to diagnose potential corruption or software conflicts.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Open and Manage Documents Securely with WPS Office

If you are experiencing persistent macro security errors, text corruption, or compatibility issues in Microsoft Office, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible environment for your Word and Excel files, offering a seamless transition with robust security features.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the Application: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer or Spreadsheet, click 'Open', and select your macro-enabled document to view it securely.

Free to use with a fast and lightweight installationHighly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsm) and Word (.docm) formatsFamiliar user interface requires no learning curveBuilt-in security prompts to safely manage macro-enabled documents

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my document text look decrypted or corrupted?

Document text may appear corrupted or as random characters if the file relies on a macro to properly decode or format the text, but the macro's execution is blocked by your security settings. It can also occur if the file is genuinely corrupted.

Is it safe to click 'Enable Content' on the macro warning?

You should only click 'Enable Content' if you completely trust the sender and expected to receive a file containing macros. Macros can contain malicious code designed to harm your system or steal data.

How do I disable macros permanently in Word or Excel?

To disable all macros without being prompted, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings, and select 'Disable all macros without notification'. This will prevent macros from running and stop the security warnings from appearing.

Will opening the document in another program fix the text?

If the text relies on a specific Microsoft VBA macro to render properly, opening it in a basic text viewer might not fix it. You would need an alternative office suite that supports VBA macros, such as WPS Office, to run the formatting scripts correctly.

Microsoft Office Security Issues