Frequently asked questions about Confluence macros

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Short answers to the questions we hear most, each with a link to the page that explains it properly.

#Using macros on a page

#Why can readers not click my status badge?

Three things must be true: Allow changing from the page is on, the badge has at least two statuses, and the reader can edit the page. See Add a status badge to a Confluence page.

#Why is a Capable macro missing from the insert menu?

In the standalone app most names include the word macro, so search for "Cards macro" rather than "Cards". Otherwise an administrator may have hidden Formatting for the site or the space. See A macro is missing from the picker.

#What is the difference between Tabs (Capable) and Confluence's own tabs?

They are separate features. Confluence's element is marked New in the insert menu; the Capable one is a Tabs macro with a Tab macro for each tab. See Add tabs to a Confluence page.

#Can readers sort and filter a table without edit rights?

Yes. In a Table & Charts macro anyone who can view the page can sort, filter, search, resize and hide columns and export the rows. Only editors change the data. See Create a table you can sort and filter in Confluence.

#Why do table headers stay solid when I scroll?

Since 13 October 2026 the header row of Table & Charts is opaque, so rows no longer show through it as you scroll. Header colours you set in the macro still apply. See Table.

#An older Buttons macro lost its page link in the editor. What do I do?

Open the macro again. Since 18 October 2026, buttons saved by an early version open with every button and page link intact; save it to store the link in the current format. See Add buttons to a Confluence page.

#Why will an image or RSS feed not load in a macro?

The site it comes from has probably not been approved. Approved domains are set in the Atlassian Admin Hub, or attach the file to the page instead. See An image or feed will not load.

#What do anonymous readers see?

Macros that render from their own settings work. RSS feeds and polls need a signed-in reader. See Readers without a licence or an account.

#Site-wide settings

#Who can see Global settings in the Macros sidebar?

Only Confluence site administrators, and only on the Macros page itself, not in the insert dialog. See Change Confluence macro settings for your whole site.

#Why does a settings tab say Could not load macro branding?

The tab could not read the current settings. Click Retry. Tabs only become editable after a fresh read, so you never overwrite another administrator's newer change.

#Why does my new status badge set not appear in the macro?

Check it was saved with Save changes and has at least one status with a title, then close and reopen the macro. The macro reads the latest sets each time it opens. See Create status badge sets for your Confluence site.

#Does editing a status set or theme change macros already on pages?

No. Sets and themes are starting points. Badges and macros already on pages keep what they were saved with.

Not here? The troubleshooting pages go deeper.