k heitz
asked on
Steps to ensure Windows Excel file can run on Mac
Hi Experts;
I have a complex .xlsb file with many macros, pivot tables, VBA function, external sql connections, controls.
My managers would like this file to be runnable on a Mac.
I've searched EE and i-net. The conventional wisdom appears to be that Excel and macros can run on a Mac.
I had a friend test the file and invoke some of the macros on his Mac - he was able to open the file in Read Only, but invoking the macros gave him 'Security Warning - External Data Connections have been disabled'.
He does not have 'Developer' enabled on his Excel version, so that may account for some of the issues.
What I have been asked to do is find out what is needed to run this file on a Mac,
I have not been able to find definitive answers for:
1. What version/OS on the Mac is required. Is there a minimum version of Mac Excel version?
2. Would enabling Developer allow for the external data connections?
3. Would enabling Developer allow for the VBA macros?
4. Maybe there is an emulator I can try?
5. Running Windows in a VM or bootstrap partition is not an option for our customers.
I suspect we will need trial-and-error to ensure all pieces of this file run, but I am a tad handicapped as I don't have a Mac, and outside of begging my family and friends to compromise security on their apple devices (not going to do that), I don't have access to a Mac.
If helpful, an abbreviated version of the Excel file is attached. It has all the bells and whistles but the data is less than usual.
Thanks for any and all help and advice!
EW_research.xlsb
I have a complex .xlsb file with many macros, pivot tables, VBA function, external sql connections, controls.
My managers would like this file to be runnable on a Mac.
I've searched EE and i-net. The conventional wisdom appears to be that Excel and macros can run on a Mac.
I had a friend test the file and invoke some of the macros on his Mac - he was able to open the file in Read Only, but invoking the macros gave him 'Security Warning - External Data Connections have been disabled'.
He does not have 'Developer' enabled on his Excel version, so that may account for some of the issues.
What I have been asked to do is find out what is needed to run this file on a Mac,
I have not been able to find definitive answers for:
1. What version/OS on the Mac is required. Is there a minimum version of Mac Excel version?
2. Would enabling Developer allow for the external data connections?
3. Would enabling Developer allow for the VBA macros?
4. Maybe there is an emulator I can try?
5. Running Windows in a VM or bootstrap partition is not an option for our customers.
I suspect we will need trial-and-error to ensure all pieces of this file run, but I am a tad handicapped as I don't have a Mac, and outside of begging my family and friends to compromise security on their apple devices (not going to do that), I don't have access to a Mac.
If helpful, an abbreviated version of the Excel file is attached. It has all the bells and whistles but the data is less than usual.
Thanks for any and all help and advice!
EW_research.xlsb
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Yes, if they install Parallels Desktop but it's not free. You can use Boot Camp but it's definitely not seamless, and if you Google for virtual machine freeware you'll find several applications that are limited in comparison with Parallels and VMWare.
ASKER
Thanks! That is something I'll ask the customer about. It looks like they'll need to buy a Windows License as well.
Beyond Parallels, do you have any other advice or ideas about running our .xlsb on a mac?
Thanks again!
Beyond Parallels, do you have any other advice or ideas about running our .xlsb on a mac?
Thanks again!
No I don't because using Parallels I've never had to be concerned about it. One important thing to note and that at least with Parallels your customers will need a Windows installation disk.
ASKER
Ok. Thank you very much for your help! I'll see what they say :)
ASKER
Hi Mr. Liss ~ Thank you very much for the recommendations & advice. The powers-that-be are purchasing Parallels Desktop.
You’re welcome and I’m glad I was able to help.
If you expand the “Full Biography” section of my profile you’ll find links to some articles I’ve written that may interest you.
Marty - Microsoft MVP 2009 to 2017
Experts Exchange Most Valuable Expert (MVE) 2015, 2017
Experts Exchange Top Expert Visual Basic Classic 2012 to 2018
Experts Exchange Top Expert VBA 2018
Experts Exchange Distinguished Expert in Excel 2018
If you expand the “Full Biography” section of my profile you’ll find links to some articles I’ve written that may interest you.
Marty - Microsoft MVP 2009 to 2017
Experts Exchange Most Valuable Expert (MVE) 2015, 2017
Experts Exchange Top Expert Visual Basic Classic 2012 to 2018
Experts Exchange Top Expert VBA 2018
Experts Exchange Distinguished Expert in Excel 2018
ASKER
The file was created in Windows Excel 2010.
I don't know what the customers have on their Mac. I can ask (Would it say something like 'Microsoft Excel 2016 for Mac'?)
Apologies for being dense here ... Are you saying I can ask our customers to install Parallels Desktop (or VMWare) on their Mac and they will be able to run a Windows Excel seamlessly?
If yes, do you happen to have a link for one or the other? Is it freeware?
Thank you!