Load or unload add-in programs

There are different types of add-in programs for Microsoft Office Excel that provide optional commands and features:

• Excel add-ins, such as the Analysis ToolPak and the Solver Add-in, are available when you install Microsoft Office or Excel.

• Additional add-ins for Excel can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center

• Developers and solution providers usually design custom Component Object Model (COM) add-ins and automation add-ins.

You must load an add-in before you can use it. After loading the add-in, the add-in program and its commands are available in one of the following locations:

• Data tab. The Analysis ToolPak and Solver Add-in are displayed in the Analysis group.

• Formulas tab. The Conditional Sum Wizard, Euro Currency Tools, Eurotool, and Lookup Wizard are displayed in the Solutions group.

• Add-Ins tab. The Add-Ins tab is added to the Ribbon, a component of the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface, when you load the first add-in for that tab. If you don't see the Add-Ins tab, you should exit Excel and restart it.

What do you want to do?

Load or unload an Excel add-in program

Load or unload a COM add-in program

Load or unload an automation add-in program

Load or unload an Excel add-in program

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Excel Options.

2. Click the Add-Ins category.

3. In the Manage box, click Excel Add-ins, and then click Go.

4. To load an Excel add-in, do the following:

   1. In the Add-Ins available box, select the check box next to the add-in that you want to load, and then click OK.

      Tip: If the add-in that you want to use is not listed in the Add-Ins available box, click Browse, and then locate the add-in. Add-ins that are not available on your computer can be downloaded from Microsoft Download Center

   2. If the add-in is not currently installed on your computer, click Yes to install it.

      Tip: Follow the setup instructions as needed.

5. To unload an Excel add-in, do the following:

   1. In the Add-Ins available box, clear the check box next to the add-in that you want to unload, and then click OK.

   2. To remove the add-in from the Office Fluent Ribbon, restart Excel.

      Note: Unloading or removing an add-in from the Ribbon does not delete the add-in from your computer. To delete the add-in from your computer, you must uninstall it.

      How to uninstall an add-in

      Important: If you originally installed the Excel add-in from a network file server or from a shared folder, you must install or remove the add-in from that location. If you installed the Excel add-in from a CD-ROM and you mapped your CD-ROM drive to a new drive letter since installing it, you need to reinstall the add-in from the CD-ROM. If you are running any Excel add-ins from the CD-ROM, you must uninstall the Excel add-ins, and then reinstall them from the CD-ROM.

      1. Quit all programs.

      2. In Windows Vista, click the Start button , click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Programs and Features.

         In Microsoft Windows XP, click the click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.

      3. Do one of the following:

         If you installed Excel as part of Microsoft Office, click Microsoft Office in the list of installed programs, and then click the Change button.

         If you installed Excel individually, click the name of your program in the list of installed programs, and then click the Change button.

      4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

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Load or unload a COM add-in program

Important: If you are a developer, you can use this procedure to load or unload a COM add-in before you design installation and removal programs for your add-in. If you are not a developer, you should not need to use this procedure. Contact the system administrator who provided the add-in if you want installation and removal instructions.

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Excel Options.

2. Click the Add-Ins category.

3. In the Manage box, click COM Add-ins, and then click Go.

4. To load a COM add-in, in the Add-Ins available box, select the check box next to the add-in that you want to load, and then click OK.

   Tip: If the add-in that you want to use is not listed in the Add-Ins available box, click Add, and then locate the add-in.

5. To unload a COM add-in, do one of the following:

   • In the Add-Ins available box, clear the check box next to the add-in that you want to unload, and then click OK.

     Note: This unloads the add-in from memory but keeps its name in the list of available add-ins. It does not delete the add-in from your computer.

   • To remove a COM add-in from the list of available add-ins and to delete the add-in from your computer, click its name in the Add-ins available box, and then click Remove.

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Load or unload an automation add-in program

Important: If you are a developer, you can use this procedure to load or unload an automation program before you design installation and removal programs for your add-in. If you are not a developer, you should not need to use this procedure. Contact the system administrator who provided the add-in if you want installation and removal instructions.

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Excel Options.

2. Click the Add-Ins category.

3. In the Manage box, click Excel Add-ins, and then click Go.

4. To load an automation add-in, click Automation, and then click the add-in that you want in the Automation servers available box.

   Tip: If the add-in that you want isn't in the list, click Browse, locate the add-in, and then click OK.

5. To unload an automation add-in, you must remove it from the registry. See your system administrator for details.

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