Add-Ins

[Domski]

Hi,

Over the years I've made the odd add-in either for my own use or for the odd couple of people who I work but of late my 'skills' have come to the attention of a couple of departments who requested I do some development for them and distribute to the 200-300 staff as required.

I have run into a few problems installing and updating the add-ins and was after some advice from folk.

Not sure it matters but it seems that not everyone is able to view their add-ins folder. I have admin rights on my pc and can navigate to the folder in:

C:\Documents and Settings\MyUserName\Application Data\Microsoft\AddIns

However most other people are unable to see the Application Data folder or further unless they manually enter the path or go through Tools...Add-Ins...Browse which takes them straight to the add-in folder.

It also appears that when installing the add-in Excel is picking up the user name that is set in Excel rather than the users actual Novell ID and if this is different completely fails to install as the path it is looking for does not exist.

I am basically having to instruct people to copy the add-in file and manually paste it into the add-ins folder by going through Tools...Add-Ins...Browse which whilst it works is a bit of a fudge job, becomes a pain when distributing updated versions of the add-in and confuses the heck out of some folk who are highly pc illiterate.

Even if I knew how I don't really want to mess about with converting to a COM add-in as I'm pretty sure the majority of folk won't be able to install it at all.

I'm guessing this is probably a rights/Novell issue but was wondering if anyone else had experienced similar.

Dom

 

[RoryA]

Why not put it on a network share and get them to install from there, saying No when asked if they want to copy it locally?
FYI, the Application Data folder is hidden by default on Windows systems, so unless they have set Explorer up to show hidden files and folders, they won't see it. It shouldn't require admin rights to use it though.

 

[schielrn]

FYI, the Application Data folder is hidden by default on Windows systems, so unless they have set Explorer up to show hidden files and folders, they won't see it. It shouldn't require admin rights to use it though.

Domski,

Just in case you don't know where to change this setting. Whil ein a folder, click on tools-->Folder Options. Then click the View Tab and under the header Hidden Files and Folders, there is a radio button to show hidden files and folders.

 

[Domski]

Why not put it on a network share and get them to install from there, saying No when asked if they want to copy it locally?
FYI, the Application Data folder is hidden by default on Windows systems, so unless they have set Explorer up to show hidden files and folders, they won't see it. It shouldn't require admin rights to use it though.

It just never occurred to me that you didn't need to copy it to the local drive.

I think I've just always clicked yes out of habit thinking you needed to. Would this mean that if I updated the xla file on the network drive it would automatically pick up the new version when people next use Excel?

 

[RoryA]

Yep - you just need to make sure no-one is using it when you update it.

 

[Domski]

Yep - you just need to make sure no-one is using it when you update it.

Easier said than done!!!

Cheers anyway, much appreciated.

Dom