Programming Excel with VBA and .NET

Code-Only Add-ins

Of the two add-in types, code-only add-ins are the simplest because they have no visual interface. To create a code-only add-in, follow these steps:

1. Create a new workbook, open the Visual Basic Editor, and write your user-defined functions.

2. Set project properties .

3. Optionally, delete unneeded worksheets.

4. Save file as a workbook.

5. Save file as an add-in.

6. Create help page or file for the add-in.

7. Close and test the add-in.

For example, I collected general-purpose procedures from earlier chapters in this book and organized them into several modules in a new workbook, as shown in Figure 22-1.

To set project properties, right-click the Project window and select Properties. I set the sample project properties as shown in Figure 22-2 and listed in Table 22-2.

Table 22-2. Sample add-in project property settings

Tab	Field	Setting
General	Project Name	Ch22
	Project Description	Numeric, text, and file functions
	Help File Name	http://www.excelworkshop.com/SampleHelp/Ch22.aspx
Protection	Lock Project for Viewing	Selected
	Password	Excel2003
	Confirm Password	Excel2003

Figure 22-1. Write add-in code

Figure 22-2. Set add-in properties

Using a web page as the help file name makes it easier to maintain and distribute the Help for the add-in. You can even add links on the ...