Word: Activate and deactivate ActiveX controls
In some documents, Word uses ActiveX controls. You can find out how to activate and deactivate it, what it is and what the risk is in our practical tip.
ActiveX control: what is it?
ActiveX controls are small program components of applications that you can run on the Internet with web browsers.
- Word uses such ActiveX controls to display animations and certain types of files, or to collect certain data.
- The risk of such controls is that they have unrestricted access to the PC. In the worst case, hackers can take control of your PC and cause great damage.
- You should only enable ActiveX controls if you are certain that the file is from a trusted source.
Word: Activate ActiveX control
When you open a document with ActiveX controls, a security warning appears in a bar at the top. Word blocks these elements for security reasons.
- If you want to activate it, click on "Options" in the bar and select "Activate this content".
- Confirm with OK". The controls are now enabled for the current session.
- To deactivate the elements for the document, close Word and reopen the document.
Word: Change ActiveX settings permanently
In Word settings, you can determine how the tool should handle ActiveX controls. This way you don't have to allow the elements again and again:
- Click the Microsoft Office button in the top left and choose "Word Options." As of Word 2013, click on "Options" under "File".
- Then select the "Trust Center" and then under "Microsoft Office Word Trust Center" the "Trust Center Settings". As of Word 2013, click on "Trust Center" on the left and select "Trust Center Settings".
- Click "ActiveX Settings".
- Here you can choose whether you want to always deactivate ActiveX, after the security question, or always activate it. You can also set Word to automatically activate safe elements and ask for unsafe elements.
In the next article you will read how to create a form with Word.