XL2000: How to Create an Add-in File
ID: Q211563
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The information in this article applies to:
SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel 2000, the process you use to create an add-in file is
different than the process for versions of Microsoft Excel earlier than Excel 97. This article contains detailed information about how to create an add-in (.xla) file in Excel 2000.
MORE INFORMATIONAdd-in File Behavior
An add-in file in Excel is a special type of workbook. An add-in
file can contain worksheets, chart sheets, and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications macros and functions. Macros and functions in an add-in file add optional commands and features to Excel without allowing a user to
directly view or edit them.
Unlike normal workbooks, when you open an add-in file, it is not visible on
the screen, and you cannot unhide it by clicking Unhide on the Window menu. An add-in file is displayed in the Project Explorer window in the Visual Basic Editor. However, you cannot view or edit an add-in file if it is protected with a password.
Creating an Add-in File
To create an add-in file, use the following two-part process:
- Protect the projects in the workbook to prevent them from being
viewed or edited after you create the add-in file.
- Save the workbook as an add-in file.
Protecting the projects is very important in Excel 2000. In versions of Microsoft Excel earlier than Excel 97, it is not necessary to protect the contents of an add-in file. However, in Excel 2000, if you do not protect
projects in the workbook, others can view and/or edit the sheets and Visual
Basic modules in the add-in file.
For more information about converting an add-in back into a workbook in
Excel, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge
Base:
Q211561
XL2000: How to Convert an Add-in File into a Workbook
Protecting the Projects in the Workbook
- Open the workbook you want to convert to an add-in file.
- On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and click Visual Basic Editor.
- In the Project Explorer window in the Visual Basic Editor, click the following bold entry:
<Project name> (<File name>)
where <Project name> is the name of the Visual Basic project, and <File name> is the name of the workbook you want to convert.
The entry will be similar to the following example:
VBAProject (Mybook.xls)
- On the Tools menu, click <Project name> Properties.
- Click the Protection tab.
- Click to select the Lock project for viewing check box. Type a password in the Password box. Type the same password in the Confirm password box, and click OK.
Saving the Workbook as an Add-in File
- Close the Visual Basic Editor by clicking Close and Return to Microsoft Excel on the File menu.
- On the File menu, click Properties.
- In the Properties dialog box, click the Summary tab.
- In the Title box, enter any name for your add-in.
The name you provide will be the name that appears in the Add-Ins dialog box.
- In the Comments box, enter any text that describes your add-in.
This description will be displayed in the Add-Ins dialog box when you select your add-in from the list of available add-ins (click Add-Ins on the Tools menu).
- Click OK to close the Properties dialog box.
- On the File menu, click Save As.
- In the Save As dialog box, select Microsoft Excel Add-In in the Save as type list. If you want, change the file name and click Save.
When you click Save, Excel creates the add-in.
- On the File menu, click Close.
After you create the add-in file, you can open the add-in file the same way
you open any workbook. If the add-in file contains an Auto_Open macro, the macro runs and performs any actions for which it is programmed. Any functions and subroutines in the add-in file are available for use in
Excel.
Additional query words:
addin make making subroutine XL2000 add in addin
Keywords : kbdta xlloadsave xlui xlvbahowto xlvbainfo xladdin
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto
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