I found the answer to my own question, after some more research (found a
related discussion on mrexcel.com). The workbook_open is not disabled by
holding the shift key while starting Excel. However, the auto_open is
disabled. So all have to do is put my startup logic in an auto_open macro
(which goes in a regular module, not under ThisWorkbook)), and then I can run
or not run by holding down shift or not holding down shift. Hope this helps
anyone else who has a similar need.
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future_vba_expert


"future_vba_expert" wrote:

The MSDN site says that you can kill the auto start up of a macro if you hold
down the shift key while starting up the excel spreadsheet. I found that this
did not work for me. I have the macro under 'workbook_open', which I think
would apply. I sometimes have to edit the vba code, and would prefer that the
macro does not run at all at that time. The rest of the time we want it to
run without any prompts or messages (except for fata errors, of course).
Thanks for any help you can provide.
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future_vba_expert