PPT2002: PowerPoint Can't Load Add-in When You Lower the Macro Security Level (285470)

SYMPTOMS

When you lower the level of macro security in Microsoft PowerPoint, and then open a PowerPoint add-in file (*.ppa), the new level of macro security may not be applied, and the add-in file may not run as expected. The add-in is listed as an available add-in in the Add-Ins dialog box, but the check box is not selected, and you receive an error message similar to the following when you attempt to select the check box:

PowerPoint couldn't load the add-in file name.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the following conditions are true:

You attempt to open a PowerPoint add-in file by using the Open command on the File menu while the macro security level is set to High.
You lower the macro security-level setting.
You open the same PowerPoint add-in file by using the Open command on the File menu.

When you attempt to open an add-in file, and the add-in is not loaded because of macro security, PowerPoint temporarily stores (caches) the failure-to-load information about this add-in. PowerPoint cannot load the add-in after you lower the macro security level until it clears the cached information.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, clear the cached information, and then load the add-in by following either of the following methods after you change the macro security-level setting.

Method 1: Quit and Restart PowerPoint

Quit PowerPoint.
Restart PowerPoint.
Open the add-in file.
Click "I AGREE" to load the add-in.

Method 2: Remove and Add the Add-in

On the Tools menu, click Add-Ins.
In the Available Add-Ins list, click the add-in, and then click Remove.
Click Add New, select the add-in, click OK, click "I AGREE" to load the add-in, and then click Close.