Unhide Personal.XLSB

 

🔄 Alternative Solution: Reset the XLSTART Folder & Reinitialize PERSONAL.XLSB

The issue often happens due to a corrupt, locked, or inaccessible PERSONAL.XLSB file in the XLSTART folder. Let’s recreate it safely.

🔧 Step-by-Step Fix

✅ Step 1: Locate the XLSTART Folder

  1. Press Windows + R

  2. Type:

    shell
    %appdata%\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART

  3. Press Enter — this will open the startup folder Excel uses.

✅ Step 2: Check for Existing PERSONAL.XLSB

  • If a file named PERSONAL.XLSB exists:

    • Close Excel completely

    • Rename the file to something like PERSONAL_OLD.XLSB (as a backup)

✅ Step 3: Open Excel and Re-record

  1. Open Excel

  2. Go to Developer > Record Macro

  3. In "Store macro in", choose Personal Macro Workbook

  4. Click OK, perform a simple action, then stop recording

  5. You will now see the prompt to save changes to the Personal Macro Workbook

  6. Click Yes — this will recreate a fresh PERSONAL.XLSB

✅ Step 4: Confirm It Works

  • Close and reopen Excel

  • Try recording a new macro and saving it to Personal Macro Workbook

  • The error should be resolved

🔒 Optional: Prevent It from Hiding Automatically

If you want to see the workbook for debugging:

  • Go to View > Unhide

  • Choose PERSONAL.XLSB

💡 Why This Works:

Corrupt or inaccessible versions of PERSONAL.XLSB block macro recording. Renaming or deleting the file forces Excel to regenerate a clean version.