XL3/XL4: Macro to Open an Add-in for Editing

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a
• Microsoft Excel for OS/2, version 3.0
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0

SUMMARY

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, it is possible to create a macro that will open an add-in macro sheet so that you can edit it.

MORE INFORMATION

To manually open a Microsoft Excel add-in macro sheet for edit it, you have to hold down the SHIFT key when you open the file. To simulate this behavior in a macro, use the method appropriate to your version of Microsoft Excel.

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Microsoft Excel Version 3.0 or 4.0

To open an add-in macro for editing in Microsoft Excel version 3.0 or 4.0, you can use the following sample macro code

   A1: =OPEN("ADDIN.XLA")
   A2: =ACTIVATE("ADDIN.XLA")
   A3: =NEW.WINDOW()
   A4: =ACTIVATE("ADDIN.XLA:1")
   A5: =CLOSE()
   A6: =RETURN()

• Cell A1 of the macro opens the add-in macro ADDIN.XLA, which remains invisible.
• Cell A2 activates ADDIN.XLA.
• Cell A3 creates a new window, titled "ADDIN.XLA:2." Because of the way in which the NEW.WINDOW() command works, this new window is visible.
• Cell A4 activates ADDIN.XLA:1, which is still invisible.
• Cell A5 closes the ADDIN.XLA:1 window. Since there is only one other window containing ADDIN.XLA (ADDIN.XLA:2), that window's title changes to ADDIN.XLA.
• Cell A6 ends the macro.

Microsoft Excel for Windows or OS/2

To open an add-in macro for editing in Microsoft Excel for Windows or Microsoft Excel for OS/2, you can use the following sample macro code

   A1: =SEND.KEYS("%FO",TRUE)
   A2: =SEND.KEYS("ADDIN.XLA+~",TRUE)
   A3: =RETURN()

• Cell A1 of the macro sends the key combination ALT+F+O, which is the same as selecting Open from the File menu.
• Cell A2 sends the name of the add-in macro (ADDIN.XLA) followed by a SHIFT+ENTER key combination. This is equivalent to holding down the SHIFT key while opening the add-in macro.
• Cell A3 ends the macro.

REFERENCES

"Function Reference," version 4.0, page 385 "Function Reference," version 3.0, pages 214-215