The Small Site Metric Sheet contains several macros within it. This can cause certain issues with emailing the sheet or uploading it to different
As per the guidance from Planning Portal, the Joe's Blooms BNG tool generates BNG metric sheets in the .xlsx format. This means you can easily upload the metric sheet to the Planning Portal website.
However, some computers might struggle with opening a file if it is in .xlsx format, and it can sometimes seem as if no values appear in the metric sheet. Please rest assured that this can be easily fixed:
1. Allow "enable editing"
This message appears as a security measure when you're opening files from external sources, such as downloaded government BNG templates. You may see a yellow bar with the message “Enable Editing” at the top of the document. This will allow the file to fully load, including any hidden data or formulas.
However, if you’ve clicked “No” or missed the message, this can leave the file appearing incomplete or blank, especially for files like BNG templates. Below, we’ll walk you through how to fix this on both Windows and Mac.
2. Enable editing on Windows
If you accidentally clicked “No” to enabling editing or are having trouble seeing the data, here’s how you can fix it:
Reopen the File:
Close the file and reopen it.
When prompted with the "Enable Editing" bar, click the button to unlock the file.
Manually Enable Editing:
If you don’t see the yellow bar, try:
Clicking File in the menu.
Look for “Protected View” in the security warning at the top.
Click “Enable Editing” to allow the full content to load.
Adjusting Security Settings (If the Issue Persists):
Go to File > Options.
Click on Trust Center, then Trust Center Settings.
Under Protected View, ensure that files from the internet or external locations are allowed to open.
Save these settings and reopen the file.
This should resolve the issue, allowing you to view and edit the file without any restrictions.
3. Enable editing on Mac
If you’re using Excel for Mac, the process is a bit different, as Mac Excel doesn’t have the same “Options” menu as Windows. Here’s how to handle the situation:
Reopen the File:
Close and reopen the file.
When the "Enable Editing" message appears at the top, click the button to allow editing.
Unblock the File via Finder:
Right-click on the file in Finder and select “Get Info”.
In the Info window, look for the “Locked” or “Blocked” checkbox. Ensure that it is unchecked.
Close the Info window and reopen the file in Excel. You should now see the option to Enable Editing.
Adjusting Security Settings in Excel for Mac:
In Excel, go to Excel > Preferences in the top menu.
Select Security & Privacy.
Review the settings for opening external files and allow files from the internet or other sources. This may include unchecking options that prevent macros or editing.
Dealing with MacOS Protection:
If MacOS marks the file as unsafe, try right-clicking on the file and selecting “Open”. Confirm the security warning, and Excel will then allow you to enable editing.