Microsoft KB Archive/156942

= XL97: How to Create an Add-in File in Microsoft Excel 97 =

Article ID: 156942

Article Last Modified on 8/6/2002

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q156942





SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel 97, the process you use to create an add-in file is different than the process for earlier versions of Microsoft Excel. This article contains detailed information about how to create an add-in (.xla) file in Microsoft Excel 97.



Add-in File Behavior
An add-in file in Microsoft Excel is a special type of workbook. An add-in file can contain worksheets, chart sheets, and Visual Basic for Applications macros and functions. Macros and functions in an add-in file add optional commands and features to Microsoft 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 in Microsoft Excel 97, 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 Microsoft Excel 97. In earlier versions of Microsoft Excel, it is not necessary to protect the contents of an add-in file. However, in Microsoft Excel 97, 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 Microsoft Excel 97, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

156943 XL97: How to Convert an Add-in File into a Workbook

Protecting the Projects in the Workbook:  In Microsoft Excel, activate 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:

 

where   is the name of the Visual Basic project, and   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  Properties. Click the Protection tab. Select (check) 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.</li></ol>

Saving the Workbook as an Add-in File:


 * 1) Close the Visual Basic Editor by clicking Close and Return to Microsoft Excel on the File menu.
 * 2) On the File menu, click Properties.
 * 3) In the Properties dialog box, click the Summary tab.
 * 4) In the Title field, enter any name for your add-in. The name you provide will be the name that appears in the Add-Ins dialog box.
 * 5) In the Comments field, 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 in the list of available add-ins.
 * 6) Click OK to close the Properties dialog box.
 * 7) On the File menu, click Save As.
 * 8) In the Save As dialog box, select Microsoft Excel Add-In(*.xla) in the Save As Type box. If you want, change the file name and click Save.

When you click Save, Microsoft Excel creates the add-in.
 * 1) 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 Microsoft Excel.

Additional query words: XL97 8.0 make making subroutine addin

Keywords: kbhowto kbfaq KB156942

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