Chapter 21: Creating and Using Add-Ins
IN THIS CHAPTER
• Getting the scoop on add-ins
• Exploring Excel's Add-In Manager
• Create an add-in
• Comparing XLSA add-in files to XLSM files
• Viewing VBA code that manipulates add-ins
• Detecting whether an add-in is installed properly
What Is an Add-In?
One of Excel's most useful features for developers is the ability to create add-ins. Creating add-ins adds a professional touch to your work, and add-ins offer several key advantages over standard workbook files.
Generally speaking, a spreadsheet add-in is something added to a spreadsheet to give it additional functionality. For example, Excel ships with several add-ins. One of the most popular is the Analysis ToolPak, which adds statistical and analysis capabilities that are not built into Excel.
Some add-ins also provide new worksheet functions that you can use in formulas. With a well-designed add-in, the new features blend in well with the original interface, so they appear to be part of the program.
Comparing an add-in with a standard workbook
Any knowledgeable Excel user can create an add-in from an Excel workbook file; no additional software or programming tools are required. You can convert any workbook file to an add-in, but not every workbook is appropriate for an add-in. An Excel add-in is basically a normal XLSM workbook with the following differences:
• The IsAddin property of the ThisWorkbook object is True. By default, this property is False.
• The workbook window is ...
