Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 26, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Any Excel workbook can be converted to an add-in. The steps you need to follow to create an add-in are very precise, and may seem a bit overwhelming (particularly the first couple of times you do it). To create a protected add-in file, you need to do a little work in the VBA Editor and in Excel itself. First, here are the steps to follow to get the settings correct in the VBA Editor:
Figure 1. The Protection tab of the project�s Properties dialog box.
Now it is time to do a little work in Excel. Follow these steps if you are using Excel 2010 or a later version:
Figure 2. The Summary tab of the workbook�s Properties dialog box.
The steps are slightly different in Excel 2007:
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8528) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Creating Add-Ins.
Best-Selling VBA Tutorial for Beginners Take your Excel knowledge to the next level. With a little background in VBA programming, you can go well beyond basic spreadsheets and functions. Use macros to reduce errors, save time, and integrate with other Microsoft applications. Fully updated for the latest version of Office 365. Check out Microsoft 365 Excel VBA Programming For Dummies today!
Cells that affect another cell are called precedent cells. If you need to know which cells affect a particular cell, ...
Discover MoreExcel allows you to work with your data in many different ways. One way is to convert your data to a structured table. ...
Discover MoreThere are a variety of ways you can count information in different groupings. One convenient way is to use the ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2020-04-07 08:44:15
Richard Curtis
This is all interesting but why would I want or need to create an Add-In? If I open a blank workbook and list available Add-Ins, the first is Analysis ToolPak. There is a brief description but what does it do? How does it work?
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments