Run a macro
Run macros in LibreOffice on Windows
- 1
Open the macro dialog
Tools → Macros → Run Macro. The macro selector opens.
- 2
Select your macro
Browse to your macro in the library tree. Select it and click Run.
Write a macro
Create a macro in LibreOffice Basic
' Simple macro example — inserts text in Writer:
Sub InsertText()
Dim oDoc As Object
Dim oText As Object
Dim oCursor As Object
oDoc = ThisComponent
oText = oDoc.getText()
oCursor = oText.createTextCursor()
oText.insertString(oCursor, "Hello from LibreOffice Basic!", False)
End Sub
Security
Macro security settings on Windows
By default LibreOffice blocks unsigned macros. To allow macros:
- Tools → Options → LibreOffice → Security → Macro Security
- Set to Medium to ask before running each macro
- Or add trusted file locations: Security → Trusted Sources → File Locations
Do not set macro security to Low. Always verify macros from unknown sources before running them.
FAQ
Macro questions
Do Excel VBA macros work in LibreOffice?
Partially. Simple VBA macros often work because LibreOffice Basic is similar to VBA. Complex macros using Excel-specific objects (Workbook, Application, ActiveX) need rewriting. LibreOffice has a VBA compatibility mode (Tools → Options → LibreOffice Basic → VBA Properties) that improves compatibility for basic VBA code.
LibreOffice macros not running on Windows
Check macro security: Tools → Options → Security → Macro Security. If set to Very High, all macros are blocked. Set to Medium to allow macros with a confirmation prompt. Also check if the file is in a trusted location.