This
lesson explains how to:
Correctly install Microsoft Excel Add-Ins.
Target Users
This lesson is for anyone who finds the need to use Add-Ins with Excel. It deals only with the installation of an Add-In for Excel. [Please see the lists of free and corporate lessons covering Add-Ins for all your Add-In needs].
Pre-Installation
NOTE - J & R always suggests making back-up copies or archive copies of your Add-Ins for safety’s sake. It is a good idea to have a directory called something like ‘myAddIns’ on your C Drive where you can put sub-directories for copies, archived and open-but-not-yet-saved Add-Ins etc.. By saving the *.xla to your hard drive you will have a spare in case things go wrong - so keep it safe. Directory example C:\myAddIns\.....
Microsoft do provide a couple of Add-Ins as standard for Excel, and these will be saved to your hard disk in the following directory, but only if you opt to install them when Excel / Office is installed. J & R always suggest when installing Excel a full complete install is made. Do not cherry-pick what is installed; sooner or later you be wanting more from Excel and some small part will have been over-looked and not installed, then you will have to set about installing the parts you now need.
C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\AddIns\ … your file's name
This location is the default for storing Add-Ins. The Add-In wizard will list all Add-In stored here; we suggest using this location - and this location only - for storing and accessing the Add-Ins you add to your library of Add-Ins. You can save them to another location if you wish, of course, but this we do not recommend. [Save backup copies wherever you like as described above. This is good house-keeping. As we explained earlier it is a good idea to have a separate directory such as ‘myAddIns' for this purpose on the C drive.]
Installation of Add-Ins
If you have the Add-In saved to the default directory
Open any Excel Workbook
Click the Tools Menu on the Command Bar.
From the Drop-Down List select Add-Ins
If you do not have the Add-In saved to the default directory, you will first need to Browse to the location where you stored it in order to get it to appear in the dropdown list of available Add-Ins.
Once installed, the Add-In will add extra features to your Excel commands. It may provide new options on the Command Bar or put new icons on the Tool Bar or a Pop-Up may appear. J & R Add-Ins frequently produce Pop-Ups that automate the performance of specific tasks.
NOTE - Do not be put off by the number of Add-Ins listed; many may be listed, but only those checked will open. In short, switch them ON and OFF as needed.
Scroll Down if needed to find your Add-In if it is not visible.
Select it by ticking the check box.
Click OK.
The Add-In is now installed and will run in each time you open Excel until you uncheck it in the Add-In dropdown.
Microsoft® and
Microsoft Excel®
are
registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation®.
Prepared by Jack in the UK
J & R Excel Solutions.
September 2003
Take a look around