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Unable to record macro

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    Unable to record macro

    Hello all,

    I am running windows 10 with excel 2013 installed on it. I am trying to create a few macros, but for whatever reason it gives me an error message saying: Unable to record.

    I have done my homework and googled the standard solutions. So far I tried:

    -Allowing macros to run (security settings)
    -Save as an macro enabled file
    -Unlocked the development tool
    -Repaired microsoft office
    -Reinstalled microsoft office.

    Any other ideas?

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    What exactly are the steps you take before you get the error message?
    Ali


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    Re: Unable to record macro

    VBA not installed?
    Regards
    Special-K

    Ensure you describe your problem clearly, I have little time available to solve these problems and do not appreciate numerous changes to them.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Quote Originally Posted by AliGW View Post
    What exactly are the steps you take before you get the error message?
    I get this error message if I click record macro.

    If I go to the macro menu, and try to create a new macro. I can give it a name, and click create new. But then simply nothing happens.

    Quote Originally Posted by Special-K View Post
    VBA not installed?
    It is installed. Double checked that in 2 different ways.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Are you using Excel on a company provided computer? If so its possible they blocked this feature, have they blocked other settings in Excel like Trust Center or Macro security features?

    If there isnt an external security policy affecting this then there are some further steps you can try.

    You could blow out the registry keys for MS Office (search and find directions to do this), maybe in combination with a reinstall. If you have security software installed you may need to whitelist Excel/VBA.

    Does the error message provide you an error number? If not you can still try checking event viewer in Windows and see if it records the error with any additional details.

    Are you able to manually program a macro and run it?
    Ways to get help: Post clear questions, explain your overall goal, supply as much background as possible, respond to questions asked of you by those trying to help and post sample(s) files.

    "I am here to help, not do it for people" -Me

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    So you can write (as opposed to recording) new macros, or run existing macros, just not record new ones? Does it matter where you try to record them?
    Rory

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Quote Originally Posted by Zer0Cool View Post
    Are you using Excel on a company provided computer? If so its possible they blocked this feature, have they blocked other settings in Excel like Trust Center or Macro security features?

    If there isnt an external security policy affecting this then there are some further steps you can try.

    You could blow out the registry keys for MS Office (search and find directions to do this), maybe in combination with a reinstall. If you have security software installed you may need to whitelist Excel/VBA.

    Does the error message provide you an error number? If not you can still try checking event viewer in Windows and see if it records the error with any additional details.

    Are you able to manually program a macro and run it?
    Its a private computer. Minimal security.

    Reinstalled Office 2013 again this morning with a different disc. Still same problem.

    No, I can also not manually write them. If I try to create one (go to the macro screen and click create) it simply doesnt do anything.

    Quote Originally Posted by rorya View Post
    So you can write (as opposed to recording) new macros, or run existing macros, just not record new ones? Does it matter where you try to record them?
    Doesnt matter where I try to record them, and cant write them manually .


    Installing Office 2010 now to see if that makes a difference...

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Update: Even after installing Excel 2010 I have the same problem. Gives me the feeling its a computer setting somewhere.

    Update 2: Disabled all forms of virus scanners and malware protection and tried again. Same result.

    Help!
    Last edited by Luvidiel; 10-18-2018 at 12:35 AM.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Can you run existing macros? Can you open the VB Editor using Alt+f11? If not, I don't think you do have VBA installed.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    I cannot run excising macros either. Had to download one from the net. Simply nothing happens.

    I can open VBE either clicking the button or Alt+F11.
    Last edited by Luvidiel; 10-18-2018 at 04:24 AM.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    I know this might seem a daft question, but please explain exactly what "nothing happens" means - for example, if you click on Run next to a macro in the macro list box, what do you see? Are there any clues at all? Do you have macros enabled? Is the workbook a macro-enabled workbook?

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Quote Originally Posted by Zer0Cool View Post
    You could blow out the registry keys for MS Office (search and find directions to do this), maybe in combination with a reinstall.
    If you cannot manually create/run macros than VBA/VBE is a problem. I would do this...
    1. Uninstall all MS Office products
    2. Reboot
    3. Blow out all registry keys for MS Office
    4. Reboot
    5. Run disk cleanup in Windows to remove temp files (optional, but recommended)
    6. Reboot
    7. Run 'sfc /scannow' to check system files and repair (optional, but recommended)
    8. Reboot
    9. Check Windows updates history, ensure no Office updates are present. If so try and uninstall them.
    10. Reboot
    11. Reinstall Office, using custom install and ensure all VBA related options are installed. Double check, take screenshots/pictures of the selections/tree.
    12. Reboot
    13. Test it by writing a simple macro manually in VBE. a Simple sub with a msgbox saying "Hello world" would be a perfect test

    Its important to mention, issues like this can come from mixing versions of Office with other versions of Office. For example keeping Outlook 2010 but using Office 2013 everything else or sometimes even "extra" products like Publisher or Visio that do not match the same version as the mainstream office programs. Ensure every Office product you install is of the same version.

    The nuclear option here is to backup all your data (which you should be doing anyway) and then wipe and clean install Windows, all your programs (including office) and then move your data back from the backup. The benefits of this will extend beyond getting Office to run. You will remove any apps not wanted/needed, avoid any updates that have been superseded, remove any potential virus or corruption, and start with a clean slate.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    I Put some screenshots in a Word file so you guys can exactly see what is happening.

    @Zer0Cool, I was thinking about reinstalling Windows. I do that every 6ish months anyway to keep my pc clean. But its a bit of a time consuming exercise and I would prefer to avoid it for now till I have some more time on my hands...
    Attached Files Attached Files

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Are the files in which you are trying to create the macros on OneDrive or on a company Sharepoint site?

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    nope, I mostly store my active working files on my desktop
    Last edited by AliGW; 10-19-2018 at 02:27 AM. Reason: No need to quote the post before yours.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    And just for completeness, these files work OK on another machine?

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Is this a recent problem, or has it never worked with this setup? Your project explorer window looks very odd to me.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    By the way, the desktop is not the best place to store files, but it's not at issue here.

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    Quote Originally Posted by AliGW View Post
    And just for completeness, these files work OK on another machine?
    I have not tried these files on other machines. But it doesnt really matter, because I have the same problem as I start up a new file. So its not a file problem.

    Quote Originally Posted by rorya View Post
    Is this a recent problem, or has it never worked with this setup? Your project explorer window looks very odd to me.
    I can not remember the last time that I used macros on this pc. Not sure if I ever have...

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    Re: Unable to record macro

    I doubt there's anything more we can do. It seems fairly clear to me that the issue is a local one and peculiar to your particular machine and its set-up.

    A propos, please update your forum profile to show the version of Office that you are now using. Thanks!

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