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Part V: Putting It All Together
When you open an add-in, you may or may not notice anything different. In
many cases, however, the Ribbon changes in some way — Excel displays
either a new tab or one or more new groups on an existing tab. For example,
opening the Analysis ToolPak add-in gives you a new item on the Data tab:
Analysis➪Data Analysis. If the add-in contains only custom worksheet functions,
the new functions appear in the Insert Function dialog box, and you’ll
see no change to Excel’s user interface.
Add-In Basics
Although you can convert any workbook to an add-in, not all workbooks benefit
from this conversion. A workbook with no macros makes a completely
useless add-in. In fact, the only types of workbooks that benefit from being
converted to an add-in are those with macros. For example, a workbook that
consists of general-purpose macros (Sub and Function procedures) makes an
ideal add-in.
Creating an add-in isn’t difficult, but it does require a bit of extra work. Use
the following steps to create an add-in from a normal workbook file:
1. Develop your application and make sure that everything works
properly.
Don’t forget to include a method for executing the macro or macros.
You might want to define a shortcut key or customize the user interface
in some way (see Chapter 19). If the add-in consists only of functions,
there’s no need to include a method to execute them because they will
appear in the Insert Function dialog box.
2. Test the application by executing it when a different workbook is
active.
Doing so simulates the application’s behavior when it’s used as an
add-in because an add-in is never the active workbook.
3. Activate the VBE and select the workbook in the Project window;
choose Tools➪VBAProject Properties and click the Protection tab;
select the Lock Project for Viewing check box and enter a password
(twice); click OK.
This step is necessary only if you want to prevent others from viewing
or modifying your macros or UserForms.
4. In Excel 2010, choose Developer➪Document Panel. In Excel 2007,
choose Office➪Prepare➪Properties.
Excel displays its Document Properties pane below the Ribbon.