Excel File Flagged as Malicious by Defender MDE

Aishwarya RM 20 Reputation points
2025-02-04T14:28:37.3266667+00:00

A macros-enabled Excel file is being flagged as malicious by Defender MDE every time changes are made and the file is saved under a different name, resulting in file corruption. Since the SHA value changes with each modification, submitting the file to Microsoft for review does not resolve the issue. What steps can be taken to prevent this corruption? Is there a way to whitelist a specific file by its name?

Excel
Excel
A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.
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Office Management
Office Management
Office: A suite of Microsoft productivity software that supports common business tasks, including word processing, email, presentations, and data management and analysis.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
2,273 questions
Excel Management
Excel Management
Excel: A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
1,755 questions
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  1. Jiajing Hua-MFST 14,420 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2025-02-05T05:26:23.53+00:00

    Hi @Aishwarya RM

    Your issue may be more related to Defender.

    I suggest you wait for a reply and advice from Defender support in another similar thread: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2154321/known-file-getting-tagged-as-malicious

    From the perspective of Office, it is recommended that you add the path where the workbook is stored as a trusted location.

    If your files are stored on OneDrive, you also need to add the https://{your-domain-name}-my.sharepoint.com into Trusted Sites zone. For more, please refer to: Files on OneDrive or SharePoint.


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