Excel 2007 Add-Ins

Question

Hi all,

I have to develop an Add-in in Excel. I've some experience in VBA but never made an Add-In, just code call from toolbar buttons with Excel 2000 and know from the ribbon with Excel 2007.

I'm confined to use the Microsoft Excel 2007.

Can someone give me advices about this subject. What are your experience ... difficulties that I will face... limitations... and some hint's if you please.

Thanks in advance.

João

 

Answer 1

An add-in is just a workbook with macros saved as an Excel add-in (*.xla in 97-2003 format, *.xlam in 2007-2010 format).

Things to consider:

• An add-in, when loaded, is invisible - you can use the worksheet(s) in the add-in to store data, but the user can't see or edit the sheets.
• As a consequence, all communication with the user is through custom toolbars, custom ribbon elements and/or keyboard shortcuts. You can display userforms of course.
• You should have error handling for all code in the add-in. You don't want the user to be confronted with unhandled errors.

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Regards, Hans Vogelaar

Answer 2

Hans,

thanks for replying.

It is like I thought.

Best Regards

João

Answer 3

Hi all,

I have to develop an Add-in in Excel. I've some experience in VBA but never made an Add-In, just code call from toolbar buttons with Excel 2000 and know from the ribbon with Excel 2007.

I'm confined to use the Microsoft Excel 2007.

Can someone give me advices about this subject. What are your experience ... difficulties that I will face... limitations... and some hint's if you please.

Thanks in advance.

João

It's the only way to distribute code. {smile}

You do have to cater to some other issues that those pointed out by Hans.  One example is the difference between ActiveWorkbook and ThisWorkbook.  I am sure there are others but for most Active/ThisWorkbook is the major one.

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Tushar Mehta (Technology and Operations Consulting)
www.tushar-mehta.com (Excel and PowerPoint add-ins and tutorials)
Microsoft MVP Excel 2000-Present