Rajiv Bhardwaj - Official Blog

To install an add-in to Microsoft office excel.

1.   First move the add-in file (“.xla” or “.xll” ) to default add-ins folder. Which is usually “userfolder”\Application Data\Microsoft\AddIns.

“userfolder” is the folder with your username.

For windows XP, it is in documents & settings folder. So you will find the addins folder at

C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\Microsoft\AddIns

where username is your computer user name.

For Windows Vista & later it is usually

C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Addins

In most cases you can find correct folder by typing %AppData%\Microsoft\Addins into the “Run” and hitting enter.

You may also have a separate folder for Add-ins, in that case you can copy the addin file to that folder.

2.  For Excel 2003 or older, go to addins menu by selecting Tools->Add-ins.

3.  Then choose the desired add-in from list.  Add-in will appear in the list if you have copied it to the right Add-in folder as described in step 1.

4. If Add-in is not displayed in the list then you can use the browse button to locate the Add-in File.

For Office 2007 or later:

1.   First move the add-in file (“.xla” or “.xll” ) to default add-ins folder. Which is usually “userfolder”\Application Data\Microsoft\AddIns.

“userfolder” is the folder with your username.

For windows XP, it is in documents & settings folder. So you will find the addins folder at

C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\Microsoft\AddIns

where username is your computer user name.

For Windows Vista & later it is usually

C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Addins

In most cases you can find correct folder by typing %AppData%\Microsoft\Addins into the “Run” and hitting enter.

You may also have a separate folder for Add-ins, in that case you can copy the addin file to that folder.

2. Click on the Office button in top left corner.

3. Then choose excel options.

4.  Select  “Add-ins” , choose Manage “Excel Add-ins” and click Go.

5.  Then choose the desired add-in from list and click OK.  Add-in will appear in the list if you have copied it to the right Add-in folder as described in step 1.

6. If Add-in is not displayed in the list then you can use the browse button to locate the Add-in File.

7. If Add-in is correctly installed then it may show a relevant message.

8. Once installation is complete then you can see the “compatible” add-ins in the Add-ins tab of office ribbon. (Optional)

9. There you can select the properties and extra functionalities of the installed Add-in. (Optional)

Last 2 steps are optional and may not be available for all Add-ins.