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Store macro in Personal Macro Workbook by default

Verified with Microsoft 365/Office 5568.1000 — updated on September 4, 2026

Microsoft 365/Office 5568.1000

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7

Path in the GPO console

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Excel 2016\Excel Options\Security\Trust Center

Description

This policy setting controls the default location for storing macros in Excel. If this policy setting is enabled, Excel stores macros in users' personal macro workbook. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Excel stores macros in the active workbook from which they are created. Note: In the user interface (UI), the "Store macro in" drop down list box in the Record Macro dialog box (Macros | Record Macro) allows users to choose whether to store the new macro in the current workbook, a new workbook, or their personal macro workbook (Personal.xlsb), a hidden workbook that opens every time Excel starts. By default, Excel displays the "Store macro in" box with "This Workbook" already selected in the drop-down list. If a user saves a macro in the active workbook and then distributes the workbook to others, the macro is distributed along with the workbook. If you enable this policy setting, Excel displays the "Store macro in" box with "Personal Macro Workbook" already selected. Users can still select one of the other two options in the drop-down menu.

Registry

HKCU software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\excel\options\binaryoptions

Value name: fglobalsheet_37_1

Enabled: fglobalsheet_37_1 = 1

Disabled: fglobalsheet_37_1 = 0

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Store macro in Personal Macro Workbook by default
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\excel\options\binaryoptions]
"fglobalsheet_37_1"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Store macro in Personal Macro Workbook by default
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
# Warning: In SYSTEM context (the Intune default), HKCU targets the SYSTEM profile. Run this script using the logged-on credentials.

$path = 'HKCU:\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\excel\options\binaryoptions'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'fglobalsheet_37_1' -Value 1 -Type DWord

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

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