XlXtrFun error when Excel is opened

[Tronen]

Hello:

I'd been using this addin called XlXtrFun for years. It is very useful mainly for interpolate (splines, etc..). Now the problem comes because I suspect this addin doesn't work for 64 bit Excel versions.

When we are trying to load the addin it appears a message when Excel is opened: "The file could be corrupted or unsafe. Unless you trust its source, don't open it. Do you want to open it anyway?" If Yes is selected then Excel closes. If No is select the addin is not loaded.

We web site for the adding is this:

http://www.xlxtrfun.com/XlXtrFun/XlXtrFun.htm

I have tried to contact with support@xlxtrfun.com but this address doesn't work because the web site is a little bit old.

I think it could be possible to make this addin work for a 64 bit Excel. In this sense I have found this site

http://www.dllfoot.com/fixing/xlxtrfun.xll.html

but I don't understand what they try to explain and it is needed to used a suspicious program called DLLEscort_Setup.exe and a process a little bit dark...

Any other ideas would be welcome.

 

[ZVI]

Hi @vladimir,

When you said:

How do I suppose can create these files?

Thank you.
Felipe.

Hi Felipe,

Those files were created to test the communication between DLL 32 bit and Excel 64 bit.
Only Interp() function from XtrFun.dll was implemented in those files for testing.
Please wait a few days, I will add and test more functions and provide a link to download all the required files.

Unfortunately, the 32 bit XLL (XlXtrFun.xll, size = 109056 Bytes) is slightly inconsistent with the description in the HLP.
And functionality of the DLL (XtrFun.dll) is not exactly the same as the one provided by XLL.
Hope it is not critical, since it mainly concerns optional arguments.

Developing an XLAM add-in from scratch with similar functionality would be easier way, but 32 <-> 64 bit bridge is more interesting to me.

Regards

 

[felipeavf]

Hi @ZVI ..
Thanks for your interest on solve this problem. I'm particularly interested on solve this problem no matter how.
For sure you will be like a hero if you either write down a new 64-bit code for this or bridge it.

Regarding bridge, it won't make the process calculation slightly slower than a new 64-bit code dedicated to that?
I also presume this bridge could be used for any other add-in that only runs in 32-bit mode, or it's dedicated to the XlXtrFun.xll only?

I'm just concern because this thread is dated from 2017 and honestly I thought nobody was workink on that anymore, but I appreciate your effort.

Thank you,
Felipe.

 

[ZVI]

Hi Felipe,

Thank you for your comments and interest.
Yea, it’s old thread to be actual, but at least good to be exercise.

Certainly, the speed of UDF realized in VBA is slower than the same in XLL.
But it’s fast enough even with 32/64 bit bridge - testing UDFs with the original example "XtrFun Declarations Release 200103.xls" was fast (milliseconds).

More details about the bridge:

1. There is original 32-bit DLL with documented description of all its exported functions (Declare Function …).
Those functions can be called from VBA of Excel 32 bit directly, but not from VBA of Excel 64 bit, because of the difference in the memory models.

2. EXE bridge is 32bit compiled in MS Visual Studio application with all DLL's declarations (Declare Function …) in the code.
EXE provides communication between 32 bit DLL and 64 bit VBA of Excel.
EXE can’t be universal for other DLLs because all declarations of exported functions should be explicitly written and compiled in the EXE.

3. VBA XLAM AddIn in 64 bit Excel uses EXE’s interface to call DLL functions.
XLAM provides Excel with UDFs similar to XLL.

Not a lot of magic here, just a lot of code and testing.

Saying about AddIn from scratch I meant VBA XLAM, not C XLL, it was just the comment, not intention.

Regards

 

[felipeavf]

Hi @ZVI,

Great you have tested that already and there is no performance degradation.
It seems that you already gave a huge step ahead on this project.
I'm looking forward to see the result.
When do you think that you will be able to release a stable version of this bridge that can be used by a common user like me?

Thanks,
Regards,
Felipe.

 

[felipeavf]

Hi @ZVI,
I was wondering here if you had any chance to work on it and could solve this challenge?
Also, I was trying to extract the functions from the xll, and load them in a normal and simple VBA project (it would be much easier for me). But I'm not sure if it's possible.
Please, give me some light.

Thank you,
Felipe

 

[ZVI]

Hi @ZVI,
... I was trying to extract the functions from the xll, and load them in a normal and simple VBA project (it would be much easier for me). But I'm not sure if it's possible.

Hi Felipe.

There is no source code in XLL/DLL as it's just compiled C-code which is not embedded instead of VBA code.
Now I'm ready to share the link to the previously mentioned Add-In for 32/64-bit versions of Excel.

Regards,

 

[ZVI]

XtrFun64.xlam Add-in for Excel 32/64-bit.

Download link - 'https://app.box.com/s/bav7sih1r2okb7j5ique62yi0dsgqqv7'
It's free just like the original DLL/XLL:
Interpolate, Spline, and Curve Fit for Excel 32/64-bit.
The (c) Scott Allen Rauch XtrFun.dll 32-bit from http://www.xlxtrfun.com is used.

Installation instruction:

1. Unzip files from XtrFun64.zip to any installation folder on a local disk.
List of the files in archive:
XtrFun.dll – 32-bit original DLL.
XtrFun64.exe – bridge between 32-bit XtrFun.dll and XtrFun64.xlam 32/64-bit.
XtrFun64.xlam – Excel Add-In.
XtrFun64_Examples.xlsx – usage examples.

2. Open Excel and install XtrFun64.xlam Add-In:
File - Options – Add-ins – Go – Browse – select XtrFun64.xlam - Ok

Load and play with XtrFun64_Examples.xlsx

In Excel use FX formula toolbar to see functions of the Add-In in 'XtrFun64 Library' category.
There is no XtrFun64.chm help file yet.

Links:
'http://www.xlxtrfun.com/XlXtrFun/XlXtrFun.htm'
'http://www.cma4ch.org/chemo/pubbl/XlXtrFun-copy.html'
'http://www.cma4ch.org/chemo/pubbl/XlXtrFun-copy.html#softw'

 

[felipeavf]

Hi @ZVI

I just tested your solution and I found some difficulties that would like to share with everyone here...

I did the installation exactly as your request, but as I'm using a company's PC, there are some Virus policies to protect and I had to bypass it doing the following steps:

1. I had to add the folder where I extract the Zip file to the Virus and Threat Exclusions List
2. I had to add the folder C:\Users\(my username)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.MSO to the Virus and Threat Exclusions List
3. If these two first steps weren't done before to try to install the add-in, another error will be found
   
   to solve it, go to <File - Options – Add-ins – Go – Browse – select XtrFun64.xlam - Ok> again
4. Once have done it, Had to run XtrFun64.exe as Administrator at least once.

Then, the Add-in started to work!

I just notice that a lot of other functions didn't show up in the list (like the "interp3D").
Can you add all these functions on a new release, please?

Thank you,
Felipe.

 

[felipeavf]

Hi @ZVI

Just something I noticed on my Excel behavior from now on, after have installed this add-in is that when I open the program, it doesn't show up the Start Screen anymore. Instead, a blank spreadsheet pop up, not respecting the option to see the Start Screen first:

Any way to change it?

Thank you,
Felipe.

 

[ZVI]

.. I just tested your solution and I found some difficulties that would like to share with everyone here...

Hi Felipe,

Thank you for testing and for sharing your installation experience.
In my testing Windows Defender antivirus software was used with no such issues.

Then, the Add-in started to work!

Glad you got it all working!

I just notice that a lot of other functions didn't show up in the list (like the "interp3D").
Can you add all these functions on a new release, please?

Actially, all 1D and 2D functions are realized:

1. ddydx(ArrayOfXs, ArrayOfYs, GivenX)
2. dydx(ArrayOfXs, ArrayOfYs, GivenX)
3. IndexOfClosestValue(ArrayOfValues, ValueToSeek)
4. IndexOfMaxDouble(ArrayOfDoules)
5. Interp(ArrayOfXs, ArrayOfYs, GivenX)
6. Interpolate(ArrayOfXs, ArrayOfYs, GivenX, [Extrapolate], [Parabolic], [Averaging], [SmoothingPower])
7. Intersect(FirstCurveXs, FirstCurveYs, SecondCurveXs, SecondCurveYs, [GuessX], _
   [nInterpolateSpline1], [nInterpolateSpline2], [dAccuracy], [lMaxIterations], [dh])
8. LookupClosestValue(ArrayOfValues, ValueToSeek)
9. LookupClosestValue2D(XYArray, ArrayOfXKeys, ArrayOfYKeys, XValueToSeek, YValueToSeek)
10. Pfit(ArrayOfXs, ArrayOfYs, GivenX, order)
11. Spline(ArrayOfXs, ArrayOfYs, GivenX)
12. vba_InteriorAngles(X1, Y1, X2, Y2, X3, Y3, [TrueForRadiansFalseForDegrees], [DeltaYOverDeltaX])
13. XatY(KnownXArray, KnownYArray, PeakValleyOrY, [GuessX], [GivenY], [Extrapolate])

Click the Fx formula bar and select the "XtrFun64 Library" category to view their list and argument details.

Only two 3D functions are missing: Interp3D and InterpMatrix.
I will add them into the next version, but only if they are supported by XtrFun.dll

... after have installed this add-in is that when I open the program, it doesn't show up the Start Screen anymore. Instead, a blank spreadsheet pop up, not respecting the option to see the Start Screen first

My bad, it was my preference for debugging. I will fix it in the next release.

Regards,