Step 1: check VBA is installed
Macros need Visual Basic for Applications, which is an optional part of the CorelDRAW install. Open the Tools menu. If Scripts (or Macros in older versions) is missing or greyed out, VBA is not installed.
- Close CorelDRAW.
- Open Windows Settings, Apps, find CorelDRAW Graphics Suite and choose Modify.
- In the feature list, enable Visual Basic for Applications (often under Utilities).
- Finish the installer and restart CorelDRAW.
Step 2: find the GMS folder
Press Windows+R, type %APPDATA%\Corel and press Enter. Open the folder for your version, for example CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024, then Draw, then GMS. If there is no GMS folder, create one with that exact name.
| Location | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| %APPDATA%\Corel\CorelDRAW Graphics Suite <version>\Draw\GMS | Your Windows user (recommended) |
| C:\Program Files\Corel\CorelDRAW Graphics Suite <version>\Draw\GMS | All users on the PC (needs admin rights) |
Step 3: copy the file and restart
With CorelDRAW closed, copy the .gms file into the GMS folder. Start CorelDRAW. CorelDRAW loads macros when VBA starts, which can be on first use rather than at launch.
Step 4: run the macro
Open Tools, Scripts, Script Manager (Tools, Macros, Macro Manager in older versions). Expand the project, find the macro and double-click it, or use Tools, Scripts, Run Script.
Step 5: add a toolbar button
Open Tools, Options, Customization, Commands. Choose the Scripts or Macros category, find your macro and drag it onto any toolbar. You can set an icon and a keyboard shortcut there too.
Common problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Macro does not appear | Wrong folder or CorelDRAW was open | Close CorelDRAW, check the version folder, copy again |
| Scripts menu greyed out | VBA not installed | Modify the install and add VBA |
| "Macros are disabled" | Macro security level | Tools, Scripts, Script Security (Macro Security): allow trusted macros |
| Project is locked | Author protected the code | Normal for commercial macros; you can still run it |
| Error loading a module | File damaged or built for another version | Download again or ask the author for your version |
Removing or updating a macro
To remove a macro, close CorelDRAW and delete or move its .gms file out of the GMS folder. To update one, close CorelDRAW first and replace the file; CorelDRAW locks .gms files while it is running, so copying over an open file fails or leaves the old version loaded. Keep a copy of the old file until the new one works.
Macros and CorelDRAW versions
A .gms file is tied to the VBA inside CorelDRAW, and most macros run on several versions, but not always. Check the author's supported versions. Each CorelDRAW version has its own GMS folder, so installing a macro for CorelDRAW 2024 does not make it appear in CorelDRAW 2021 on the same PC.
Is VBA available in my CorelDRAW?
VBA is part of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite on Windows. It is not included in CorelDRAW Home and Student or on the Mac version, so VBA macros will not run there. Some editions also install it only when you choose it during setup, which is why the Scripts menu can be missing on a new PC.
Installing AJILE
AJILE comes with its own installer that finds your CorelDRAW version, places the macro and fonts and adds the START AJILE button, so you do not need these manual steps. The video below walks through it in Tamil.
Install AJILE and activate the licence (Tamil). Full course: /ajile/modules/
Questions
What is a GMS file?
A GMS file is a CorelDRAW VBA macro project. It holds the macro code and any forms, and it only runs inside CorelDRAW.
Where is the GMS folder?
For your user it is usually %APPDATA%\Corel\CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Why is the Scripts or Macros menu greyed out?
Visual Basic for Applications is not installed. Run the CorelDRAW installer again, choose Modify, and enable VBA under the utilities.
Can I double-click a GMS file to run it?
No. Double-clicking does nothing useful. Load it in CorelDRAW's Script Manager or Macro Manager and run it from there.
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