Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Using Custom Add-Ins.

Using Custom Add-Ins

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 30, 2025)

After you have created your own add-in, you can use it in your system. Once the add-in has been loaded, the functions or features in the add-in become available to any other workbook you may have open, or any time you are using Excel. All you need to do to use your add-in is follow these steps:

  1. Display the Excel Options dialog box. (In Excel 2007 click the Office button and then click Excel Options. In Excel 2010 and later versions display the File tab of the ribbon and then click Options.)
  2. At the left side of the dialog box click Add-Ins.
  3. Make sure the Manage drop-down list (at the bottom of the dialog box) is set to Excel Add-ins.
  4. Click the Go button. Excel displays the Add-Ins dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

    5. Figure 1. The Add-Ins dialog box.

  5. If your custom add-in is visible in the dialog box, click the check box beside it and skip to step 9.
  6. Click on the Browse button. Excel displays a standard file dialog box.
  7. Use the controls in the dialog box to locate and select your custom add-in.
  8. Click on OK. The add-in is loaded and made a part of Excel. (You can tell that the add-in is available because it is now listed in the Add-Ins dialog box.)
  9. Click on OK to close the Add-Ins dialog box.

Note:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the ExcelTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8529) 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: Using Custom Add-Ins.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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